Announcing the initial lineup for the SXSW Sydney Podcast Stage presented by iHeart! Taking place from October 14–18 at ICC Sydney, badgeholders can enjoy five days of engaging conversations with fan-favourite shows.
A standout for attendees at SXSW Sydney 2023, this year’s Podcast Stage will double in capacity and welcome some of the most exciting local and international titles for once-off exclusive conversations and plenty of surprises. The SXSW Sydney Podcast Stage provides a unique opportunity to see a stellar lineup of podcast talent live and all in the one place. It runs Monday to Friday, covering themes including science, finance, mental health, comedy, sports, business, culture, future of work, and relationships, and is a must-attend for any podcast-lover.
Monday 14 October
- · The Cova Project with Dakota O’Brien and Geena Dunne - Seeing Red - The Problem Starts With Period Poverty. Over 500 million girls around the world lack access to basic period care, which causes inequity in education, employment and society, and it has us seeing red. While addressing the women’s health gap could boost the global economy by at least $1 trillion annually, lack of awareness sees critically low investment in the issue. Dakota O'Brien sits down with The Cova Project's founder, Geena Dunne, to find out what solutions could be implemented today for a more equal tomorrow. Prepare to throw off your rose coloured glasses and start seeing red...
- · Future Fork with Paul Newman and special guest Kelly McJannet
- · Unf*cking the future with scientist Chris Turney – Unf*cking the future takes us on an environmental journey with our knowledgeable guide, scientist Chrus Turney to expose the consequences of our actions and share the solutions. With special guest Sally-Ann Williams and Dan Ilic.
- · She’s on the Money – Hosted by finance expert and retired Financial Adviser Victoria Devine, She's On The Money’s no-BS approach to financial literacy will help you feel confident and in-control of your money and future.
Tuesday 15 October
- · But Are You Happy? with Clare Stephens – Join Clare Stephens as she asks the questions you’ve always wanted to ask the people who appear to have it all. With special guest, gold medalist Noémie Fox.
- · Black Magic Woman with Mundanara Bayles – An uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly First Nations people from Australia and around the world sharing their stories about their journey to highlight the diversity amongst First Nations peoples and the resilience of her people. She hopes these stories inspire her listeners and also create a better understanding of First Nations Peoples culture and history. With special guest Nooky.
- · The Antoinette's Podcast – What happens when an Australian journalist named Antoinette and an American poet named Antoinette sit down to tackle the world’s biggest and smallest problems? They trade many words and some barbs! There are trials and errors, and plenty of laughs as the Antoinettes navigate their friendship while trying to make sense of the world’s chaos. Welcome to the bin fire. Welcome to the shit show!
Wednesday 16 October
- · Better Than Yesterday with Osher Günsberg – This show has set out to improve life for you and the people you love. Sometimes it’s authentic conversations. Sometimes we’ll unpack the news or hear how Osher deals with life as a sober person with a different brain. But you’ll always hear something you need to hear (and laugh while you do). With special guest Allegra Spender.
- · The Buck Up with Kate Langbroek and Nath Valvo – Bye bye misery! In a world that seems to be lurching from one existential disaster to another, The Buck-Up is your weekly antidote to the times. The Buck-Up is a high-energy, up-beat, natural anti-depressant as Kate Langbroek and Nath Valvo break down the absurdities of modern life. Because who doesn’t love a Buck-Up?
- · Non Obvious Show with Rohit Bhargava – Every week, trend curator and #1 WSJ Bestselling author Rohit Bhargava explores a new topic, from racial literacy to cartooning. The aim of every show is to spotlight an unusual and non-obvious (of course!) new perspective for our loyal audience -- known as the Non-Obvious Nation.
Thursday 17 October
- · Culture First with Damon Klotz – From uncomfortable truths to heart-to-heart conversations, the Culture First Podcast uncovers what it really takes to build a better world of work. With special guest, Amy Gallo.
- · Black Magic Woman with Mundanara Bayles – An uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly First Nations people from Australia and around the world sharing their stories about their journey to highlight the diversity amongst First Nations peoples and the resilience of her people. She hopes these stories inspire her listeners and also create a better understanding of First Nations Peoples culture and history.
- · The Daily Aus with Sam Koslowski and Emma Gillspie - ‘Young Voices, Big Choices: The Role of New and Old Journalism in the 2024 Presidential Election.’ We're only weeks out from the U.S. Presidential Election - one of the most complex and anticipated political races in modern history. Join TDA hosts Sam Koslowski and Emma Gillespie for a live podcast recording that delves into the intersection of youth, politics, and media consumption in the lead-up to the November 4 vote. This timely session will be an insightful exploration of how Gen Z Americans are accessing and interpreting news about presidential candidates and campaign issues, how Brand Harris and Brand Trump are trying to get their attention, and some predictions ahead of an Australian Federal Election in 2025.
- · This Working Life with Lisa Leong – This Working Life helps you navigate your way through the tough times, looking for the sunshine and the humanity in the world of work. From the quirky to the somewhat controversial, experts in the world of work and business share their ideas, experiments and fast fails that you can apply to your own career. With special guests Ryan Patel, Greta Bradman, and Simon Kuestenmacher.
- · Weirder Together with Ben Lee & Ione Skye – Join Ben and Ione as they give an insight into the marriage of two offbeat creative artists who somehow make it work. With special guests Ryan Patel, Greta Bradman, and Simon Kuestenmacher.
Friday 18 October
- · Welcome To The Future! with Charles First & Dom Knight – Dive into the world of tech and discover that sometimes, the future isn’t exactly what you expert… unless you thought the future would be an endless succession of crappy Bluetooth products. Then it’s exactly what you expect.
- · Wiggle Talk – a Podcast For Parents – An engaging and insightful offering giving parents unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the Wiggles family, combining expert parenting advice and a glimpse into the lives of The Wiggles parents, hosted by the warm, familiar voices of Red Wiggle Simon Pryce and Purple Wiggle Lachy Gillespie, alongside Wiggles founding member Anthony Field.
- · Three Food Memories – Three Food Memories is hosted by Savva Savas, dad of twin boys, entrepreneur, caterer, and creator. In each episode Savva chats with a guest who shares three food memories and a social cause close to their heart, revealing far more about themselves than what they’ve tasted. With special guest Katherine Bennell-Pegg.
- · Backstage with Cooper and Matty Johns – Matty & Cooper Johns, open the doors of their home to welcome some of the most prominent figures in sports, entertainment, journalism and beyond. In this engaging podcast series, listeners are in for a treat as the hosts dive deep into the lives and experiences of these illustrious personalities.
- · True Crime Conversations Podcast with Gemma Bath - This isn’t your typical true crime podcast. Host Gemma Bath empowers female victims to share their stories. At SXSW, she’ll interview journalist Nicole Madigan, a passionate advocate against domestic violence and stalking, who was stalked for years by her partner’s ex-girlfriend. With special guest Nicole Madigan.
iHeart joins as the presenting partner of the SXSW Sydney Podcast Stage in 2024, bringing a raft of their best-loved titles for SXSW Sydney attendees to enjoy live, including The Buck Up with Kate Langbroek & Nath Valvo, Backstage with Cooper & Matty Johns, She’s on the Money and brand new show Wiggle Talk – A Podcast For Parents.
Plus, catch these insightful SXSW Sydney Conference sessions from some incredible podcast talent:
Authenticity sells in social media with Jemma Sberg
Join Jemma Sbeg, the host of the hit show ’The Psychology of your 20s’ to learn how you can leverage authenticity in your pursuit of podcast and media success. Jemma’s podcast began from a place of obscurity. A university student at the time of its launch, Jemma had no social media presence, no media training, no desire to go ’viral’ or become a full time creator. Three years later she runs one of the biggest self help podcasts in the world, ranked 19th in the worldwide on Spotify in 2023, the most listened to Australian podcast in the world. The secret = authenticity. If you want to learn about organic growth, tapping into hidden markets, this session is for you.
Between music and wellness with pianist, podcaster, and composer Chad Lawson (US)
Chad Lawson, a renowned musician and mindfulness advocate, will delve into the profound connection between music and mental health in his session. With a rich career that combines musical talent and a deep understanding of mindfulness, Chad will introduce participants to the powerful synergy between these two elements. This session aims to explore the theme of achieving mental well-being through the harmonious blend of music and mindfulness practices. During the session, Chad share's personal anecdotes to highlight the transformative power of music. He will recount moving stories of how his music has provided solace and support to individuals facing life's challenges, from navigating grief to managing stress. He will guide participants on how to curate uplifting playlists tailored to enhance mood & well-being. Sharing examples from his own experiences, he will demonstrate how carefully selected music can serve as a powerful tool for emotional regulation and mental health support.
The SXSW Sydney Podcast Stage is accessible with a SXSW Sydney badge. Badges unlock the full SXSW Sydney experience, giving access to the Conference, Tech & Innovation Expo, and Music, Screen and Games Festivals across seven days. Find your perfect badge today! Tumbalong Park is publicly accessible, giving everyone a taste of the SXSW Sydney experience from October 14–20. Download the SXSW Sydney app and start building your schedule today.