The Real Thing

After cycling the world, Nicolás Marino set off to cross his adopted homeland using pedal power alone.

He discovered knowing …

As a teenager, Lita Lewis was expected to set the example for her siblings. So much so, that she wanted out.

In an adult life far …

A school of fish help the Australian netball team win a Commonwealth gold medal.

An introduction to Sum Of All Parts - a podcast …

For International Women's Day, a story about feeling incomplete.

Khadija Gbla’s repressed memory of female genital mutilation …

The Real Thing perform live at Woodfolk Folk Festival, Queensland.

In between music and magic tricks, Timothy and Mike risk it all …

It started as an idea in a Darlinghurst cafe and became the world’s largest short film festival.

Tropfest has helped kickstart generations of Australian film careers throughout its 25 year history.

…

Miranda Gibson was an unlikely candidate to break the record for Australia’s longest tree-sit.

The shy Queenslander had never seen a forest until her early twenties.

In 2011 she vowed to live in a tree …

Improbable hairdos, gyrating hips, overstretched jumpsuits, way too many rhinestones, and a whole lot of community spirit.

You …

When Robbie Page discovered surfing it consumed him.

The former Pipeline Master views the sport as a martial art.

It led him on a global adventure, with stopovers in a Japanese prison, the French …

Christmas; family, food, anticipation. The stakes are high.

There's extra pressure for the Williams family, who are only able to get together every second year.

But when a tradition goes wrong, the …

A bike ride and a book inspired Stephanie Lorenzo to cut her corporate career short and start a charity.

Her passion to end human trafficking helped change young Australians' view on giving.

When a …

Gary the goat, an internet sensation, and friend of The Real Thing, has died on tour in Queensland.

There's a reason Gary's episode is our most downloaded ever.

Gary was a uniquely Australian larrikin …

Ford vs Holden. Blue vs red. Mate vs mate.

There's no sitting on the fence when it comes to motoring's great rivalry.

But factory …

Alison and David Homer were ecstatic when they fell pregnant in 2005.

"Finally, I feel part of something of consequence," Dave said.

But at 32 weeks, Harper's heart unexpectedly stopped.

How they coped …

David Ninness is one of the Cronulla Shark's biggest fans, despite living nowhere near Sydney's Sutherland Shire.

When the NRL …

Sleepy lizards keep popping up in the life of Off Track producer, Ann Jones.

So she was curious to speak with Professor Michael …

Positively Wilcannia, part 6: stop recording, start feeling.

Robert Clayton broke his leg three years ago.

The injury set off a …

Positively Wilcannia, part 5: a tenacious Barkindji woman grabs every opportunity.

Bobbi Murray loves her river, the Boomerangs football club, and the entire Wilcannia family.

From a young age she …

Positively Wilcannia, part 4: how The Wilcannia Mob took their river to the world.

The Wilcannia Mob's Down River gave us a unique view into life growing up in Wilcannia.

Band members, and the town, …

Positively Wilcannia, part 3: taking anxiety out of health checks, and Barkindji for beginners.

Rugby league is being used to improve men's health in more ways that one.

When the town travels to …

Positively Wilcannia, part 2: Mike and Timothy race to shake up Wilcannia.

Timothy and Mike compete in a race to shake as many Wilcannia hands as possible.

Along the way they gather a snapshot of the …

Positively Wilcannia, part 1: The Real Thing is helping put Wilcannia on the map.

Wilcannia locals are fighting for the town's reputation, despite numerous social challenges and a complicated …

Brad Guy went skydiving and his parachute failed.

Incredibly, he survived.

Although he recovered from the physical injuries, what …

Lizzy Gardiner's early life included minimal supervision, late nights at the Dubbo drive-in and a stint in Papua New Guinea.

Her …

Hey, it's Mike and Timothy.

The car's fuelled up, the thermos is hot and there's lots of characters to meet.

Make sure you subscribe to the podcast so you can join us on the search for the real …

Mark Colvin like you've never heard him.

In 1978 the ABC’s renegade youth broadcaster Double Jay premiered an audio experiment …

Deni Gordon's long and varied career includes musical theatre, television and film.

While she no longer works in showbiz, an unlikely ten minute voice-over job in 1987 continues to blast out of …

Nothing on television compares to Rage.

For 30 years the biggest artists have beamed weird and wonderful music videos to your …

One man, one goat and a wide open road.

Gary the goat is famous. Millions of fans have watched videos of the …

Samantha Beranic was 12 when her Mother told her a secret.

This information quickly became a burden that would shadow Sam's life.

…

Timothy and Mike are performing the podcast on stage. And you're invited!

The Real Thing's 10th instalment of their search for the "real" Australia will be performed in front of audiences in Melbourne …

Redgum’s ‘I was only 19’ united the Vietnam veteran’s movement in Australia.

The song tells the true story of an Australian …

Yadu Singh was ‘numb’ when he found out his application for permanent residency was unexpectedly cancelled.

The young cardiologist …

The small village of Tarcutta, NSW is sacred to the Australian truck driving industry.

Every year since 1994, families, …

Mary Leunig is an artist and self-described recluse living in regional Victoria. She comes from a creative family; her brother is cartoonist, Michael Leunig.

In the 1980s she had books published. For …

After the closure of the African Lion Safari in Sydney’s far west, wildlife remained living inside its boundaries.

The exotic animal park sat next to suburban houses and kids played near its fences.

…

Lisa Llorens is one of Australia’s most decorated Paralympians with six medals across track and field events.

She was dubbed ‘the cheetah’ because she loves cats and was fast on the track.

But …

Anton McMillan is a role model for younger residents in a uniquely structured household called Boys from the Bush.

During the …

'Bronson' was the youngest member of the Round the Twist family. He loved food, had smelly feet and was often the easy target of …

Welcome to The Real Thing, a new podcast in search of the real Australia.

Each episode we'll venture into the corners to discover the characters, scenes and stories that make this country unique.

Radio …