S3 Ep8: Ola

One winter’s night, Kerry receives news about an old friend. Now, every Christmas Kerry reflects on this friendship and what could have been. Written and performed by Kerry Graham. Produced by Andy Gaffney. 

During a trip to Paris, Jennie is transfixed by dancers she’s watched on the Scene. Their movements and how they welcome each other in without any pause causes Jennie to reflect on the very origins of hospitality itself. Written and performed by Jennie Moran. Produced by Andy Gaffney. 

Alan is a musician and a neuroscientist. In this story Alan takes us on a journey of what music does to our brains and memories and just how important it is when it comes to remembering our lives.Written and performed by Alan Harvey. Produced by Andy Gaffney.

Documenting a camping trip in Uluru in Alice Springs to see one of her favourite bands, Melanie deals with broken-down cars, aging rockers, the magic of the mountain and memories of her father - all in the name of seeing Midnight Oil. Written and performed by Melanie Bakewell. Co-produced by Andy Gaffney and Melanie Bakewell. 

Whenever Will now hears a gaggle of crows he thinks back to a time of looking over fields in Cork and just wishing that Han Solo would swoop down in the Falcon to take him on a great adventure. It was a fantasy then but as he grew up Will would try more than one way to realise those dreams. Written and performed by Will Collins. Produced by Andy Gaffney.

It’s Christmas and Santa has brought a new Pokemon game. Lucy should be running down the stairs on this rainy Christmas morning. But for some reason she’s feeling incredibly sleepy and not for the first, nor the last, time. Written and performed by Lucy James. Produced by Andy Gaffney. 

David Daballen is Director of Field Operations for Save The Elephants. Here he shares one of his favourite stories about when his job got more than a little scary as he was bravely attempting to save an elephant from drowning. Written and performed by David Daballen. Produced by Andy Gaffney.https://www.savetheelephants.org/

Kirsten never really thought about cancer when, in her childhood, being subjected to the ubiquitous ads on Australian TV grimly detailing the country’s cancer mortality statistics. That is until she was diagnosed with a spinal tumour called a “giant cell tumour” while she was still only in her twenties. What followed was a lonely, frightening and confusing time in hospital. Until she met Sam. Written and performed by Kirsten Moore. Produced by Andy Gaffney. You can find Kirsten's Podcast here - https://tr.ee/TyT3ixiDdL and buy the book Gutter Glitter featuring the incredible stories after this tale here https://tr.ee/wcdH96ZD5d 

Ola swears that she can smell chickenpox. Not only that, she insists that it happens to smell just like prawn cocktail crisps. However this superpower could well be a curse as it means that anyone eating that flavour of the snack in her company means she is thrust right back to having chickenpox as a child. Written and performed by Ola Labib. Produced by Andy Gaffney.

One Christmas, Dave was given a gift of a walkman which, you would think for someone who grew up to be a music journalist, sounds like the kind of origin story seen in cinema. For Dave however, it wasn’t the toy he wanted and he has carried the guilt over his reaction ever since. Written and performed by Dave Hanratty. Produced by Andy Gaffney.