Tall Tales & True

Before Mahmood Fazal was a writer and journalist, he was part of an outlaw motorcycle club, abusing drugs and running wild. He saw plenty of destruction and death, but when his best mate was killed everything changed. Mahmood shared this story for Better Off Said: Eulogies for the Living and Dead. Better Off Said is a spoken-word event celebrating stories and human experiences. Presented by Emilie Zoey Baker and Marieke Hardy. For more information check out their website: betteroffsaid.com.au

Adelaide in the 1980s was not the easiest place for a kid to figure out their gender. Jen Cloher's stint as "John" the Galaga-playing champ at the local takeaway was short-lived and ended ingloriously. Jen first told this story for the national LGBTQI+ storytelling project Queerstories, curated by Maeve Marsden. Subscribe to the podcast or check out the Queerstories book.

Three years before she transitioned genders, Cadance was a fat, depressed guy buying weed from bikie gangs and nursing a near-killer blood clot. Then came a surprising chat in the most unlikely place. Cadance first told this story for the national LGBTQI+ storytelling project Queerstories, curated by Maeve Marsden. Subscribe to the podcast or check out the Queerstories book.

Content warning: This story contains adult themes and touches briefly on suicide. For support in a crisis contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Growing up can be pretty hard work and there's not a lot of room to think about anyone else, especially your parents. Rebecca Day has some fond memories from her days as an angsty, rebellious teen, but she does regret the trouble she caused for her poor old dad.

This story was first told for SPUN Stories, a live storytelling podcast created in Darwin by StoryProjects. For more stories like this go to spun stories.

When your community has lost the plot and is driven to riot after racist goading by powerful voices, who can you turn to for warmth and safety? Jordan Shea reflects on his bond with his Grandmother – his 'Lola' – during an ugly chapter of Australian history. Jordan first told this story for the national LGBTQI+ storytelling project Queerstories, curated by Maeve Marsden. Subscribe to the podcast or check out the Queerstories book.

From a rebelling teen who lands her dad in a world of hot water, to a kid named Jennifer, with a secret identity, this season host and curator Mahmood Fazal brings you five frank, funny and fearless stories of rebellion. You’ll hear from people finding themselves through their rebellion and another who found himself in the wrong place during a rebellion. Tall Tales and True finds the best of live storytelling from around Australia. 

When Leah Potter was at uni, her topless-barmaid girlfriend asked her to join her for a private gig. All she had to do was wear a corset and g-string and whip a few blokes. So began her career as a dominatrix. This story was first told for SPUN Stories, a live storytelling podcast created in Darwin by StoryProjects. For more stories like this go to SPUN Stories.

Content warning: This story contains adult themes and touches briefly on child abuse. For support in a crisis contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Gala Vanting is a sex worker. But that's not something she can tell her stepdaughter. This story is a touching collection of moments as Gala navigates her role as stepmother in her blended family. This story was first told as part of the national LGBTQI+ storytelling project Queerstories, curated by Maeve Marsden. Subscribe to the podcast or check out the Queerstories book.

As a trans woman in a small town 30 years ago, Chantell Martin saw the desperation to be "genetically born female" lead others to self-harm, even suicide. So, she made a choice to be proud to be trans. That choice changed everything for her. This story was first told as part of national LGBTQI+ storytelling project Queerstories, curated by Maeve Marsden. Subscribe to the podcast or check out the Queerstories book.

Content warning: This story contains adult themes and touches briefly on the concept of suicide. For support in a crisis contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

What risks do sex workers face when their profession is criminalised? And what measures do they take to avoid being busted? "Jane Whatshername" tells a story about working in a South Australian brothel and what happened when the police inevitably turned up. This story was first published on The Intro Room, an online sex worker storytelling night organised during the pandemic by Debby Doesn't Do It for Free, an Australian sex workers art collective celebrating sex worker stories and culture.  

For more stories from the Intro Room visit https://omny.fm/shows/introroom

Content warning: This story contains adult themes.

When you're new to sex work there's a lot to learn and there are choices to make. What will your boundaries be, and will you be prepared to cross them? And what name will you use? This storyteller chose the name Betty. These days she works in alternative trauma therapy, but she looks back fondly on her days as a sex worker. This story was first published on The Intro Room, an online sex worker storytelling night organised during the pandemic by Debby Doesn't Do It for Free, an Australian sex workers art collective celebrating sex worker stories and culture.  

For more stories from the Intro Room visit https://omny.fm/shows/introroom

Content warning: This story contains adult themes and touches on child abuse. For support in a crisis contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Pris tells the story of the first time a low-key celebrity hired her and her friend for a threesome. It was also the first time a job went horribly – but hilariously – wrong for Pris.  This story was first published on The Intro Room, an online sex worker storytelling night organised during the pandemic by Debby Doesn't Do It for Free, an Australian sex workers art collective celebrating sex worker stories and culture.  

For more stories from the Intro Room visit https://omny.fm/shows/introroom

Content warning: This story contains strong language and strong adult themes.

Have you ever had to work closely with an ex? Sex worker Tilly Lawless has and it's one of the four bookings she reflects on in this story about processing her personal life through her work. Tilly first told this story for the national LGBTQI+ storytelling project Queerstories, curated by Maeve Marsden. Subscribe to the podcast or check out the Queerstories book.

Content warning: This story contains strong adult themes.

This season, sex worker and author Tilly Lawless (Nothing But My Body) brings you seven stories from sex workers across Australia.

You'll hear stories about the job, stories about life, and stories about a community that looks out for its own in the face of stigmatisation. Often funny, sometimes sobering, always candid, Tall Tales & True showcases the best of live storytelling from around Australia.

No one cares about your perfect holiday. When things go wrong, that's when the stories get interesting. Bobuq Sayed found themselves stranded, and alone with nowhere to stay on an island in Hawaii. What could have ended badly turned into a lesson for us all: you can always rely on the kindness of strangers. This story was first told at Queerstories, a national LGBTQI+ live storytelling event and podcast.

Sometimes, it's the small off-the-cuff comment that can have a lasting impact. For Angie Farrugia, this moment has happened twice. And both times, these choice few words have changed the course of her life. This story was first told live on stage in Melbourne at a Generation Women storytelling event.

Footy clubs aren't just about the game, they're community too. And, for Amy Chittick, when a shock accident left her needing support, her footy club were there through her darkest days. This story was first aired on SPUN Stories, a live storytelling podcast created in Darwin by StoryProjects. For more stories like this go to Spun Stories.

Cyclone Tracey changed Darwin forever. Generations have heard about what happened from an adult's perspective, but what was it like for a four-year-old waiting for Santa? Jame Parfitt-Fejo recounts his family's experience of Cyclone Tracey, and how Australians rose up and helped them in their time of need. This story was first aired on SPUN Stories, a live storytelling podcast created in Darwin by StoryProjects. For more stories like this go to spun stories.

Moving to a new city is hard. Making new friends, in a new city, as a lonely adult can be terrifying. Cobey Bartels tells the story of how motorcycles have saved him from loneliness more than once. This story was first told a GOMA, in conjunction with The Motorcycle Design, Art, Desire' exhibition in April 2021. The event was presented by the Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art, in partnership with Yarn Storytelling.

We're back, with the best of live storytelling from around Australia. This season — hosted by journalist and mental health advocate Cobey Bartels — is a celebration of community. Whether it's at home where you grew, or somewhere new; communities can form when you least expect it. Hear five short stories from Aussies around the country about how community shaped their lives. And with it, the lessons that changed them forever.