Riley Stuart: The Foreign Correspondent Fwend

This week on Fwends, it's an ABC foreign correspondent who also happens to be a ol' pal of Kyran, Riley Stuart!From reporting from war zones, to people being kicked off expensive holidays, Riley has seen a LOT. And there may even be a special surprise on his fwends list. it's FWENDS!CONTACTVoicemail - speakpipe.com/fwendspodEmail - [email protected] - PO Box 24144, Melbourne, VIC 3001, AustraliaFWENDS WITH BENEFITSGet ad free listening and access to the Simply Marvellous archive! (Simply Marvellous both the perfect adjective and also actually just the name of the old show). Plus other fun stuff!Apple: Subscribe above!Not Apple: https://fwends.supercast.comRATE AND REVIEWIf you'd be so kind, we'd absolutely love you to leave a charming rating and review? In whatever podcast app you're in right now...a little 5 stars will do?FOLLOW FWENDS ON INSTAGRAMGeorgia MooneyKyran NicholsonRhys NicholsonComedy RepublicProduced by Comedy Republic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Only Fwends! Every fortnight, between interviews, we three Fwends have a little natter.On this episode, puppy play, mistaken identity, melted sex shops, tap talk, Kyran is chairman and Rhys is the people's princess.SEE US LIVE AT MICF 2026We are bringing FWENDS to the stage at Comedy Republic for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival!Tickets are almost gone.📅 Saturday, 11 April @ 3:00pm🎟️ BOOK TICKETS HERECONTACTVoicemail - speakpipe.com/fwendspodEmail - [email protected] - PO Box 24144, Melbourne, VIC 3001, AustraliaFWENDS WITH BENEFITSGet ad free listening and access to the Simply Marvellous archive! (Simply Marvellous both the perfect adjective and also actually just the name of the old show). Plus other fun stuff!Apple: Subscribe above!Not Apple: https://fwends.supercast.comRATE AND REVIEWIf you'd be so kind, we'd absolutely love you to leave a charming rating and review? In whatever podcast app you're in right now...a little 5 stars will do?FOLLOW FWENDS ON INSTAGRAMGeorgia MooneyKyran NicholsonRhys NicholsonComedy RepublicProduced by Comedy Republic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Russia's/Several other countries' Olga Koch! One of the world's best comedians and, as we find out in the episode, also a real bloody brainiac. Join the gang as we learn that we are definitely in para-social relationships, Kyran is very good at segues, and Rhys is trying to interview someone. A joy! Fwends!The Parasocial Deep-DiveThe core of the episode revolves around Olga’s academic and personal obsession with how we form bonds with people we don't actually know.Defining the "Fwendship": Olga explains that the term "parasocial relationship" was coined in the 1950s regarding talk show hosts, but has been "turbo-charged" by social media and podcasts.The Intimacy of Audio: She notes that podcasting creates the most intense version of this bond because the host is "directly in your ear" for long periods, leading listeners to feel they are part of a "perceived inner circle".The Emotional Reality: Olga argues that even if a relationship is "imaginary" or one-sided, the emotional response (the dopamine hit from a message or the grief when a character dies) is biologically valid and real.SEE US LIVE AT MICF 2026We are bringing FWENDS to the stage at Comedy Republic for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival! Tickets are almost gone. 📅 Saturday, 11 April @ 3:00pm 🎟️ BOOK TICKETS HERE: https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/event/38:542/38:2033/FOLLOW FWENDS ON INSTAGRAMFwends: @fwendspodHelen Bauer: @helenbauerGeorgia Mooney: @georgiamooneyKyran Nicholson: @kyrannicholsonRhys Nicholson: @rhysnicholsonComedy Republic: @comedyrepublicmelbWatch the full ep on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WF0IKNQQVv4Produced by Comedy Republic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Only Fwends! Every fortnight, between interviews, we three Fwends have a little natter.On this episode, Rhys and Kyran are new godparents, and Georgia has had her first psychic reading.SEE US LIVE AT MICF 2026We are bringing FWENDS to the stage at Comedy Republic for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival!Tickets are almost gone.📅 Saturday, 11 April @ 3:00pm🎟️ BOOK TICKETS HERECONTACTVoicemail - speakpipe.com/fwendspodEmail - [email protected] - PO Box 24144, Melbourne, VIC 3001, AustraliaFWENDS WITH BENEFITSGet ad free listening and access to the Simply Marvellous archive! (Simply Marvellous both the perfect adjective and also actually just the name of the old show). Plus other fun stuff!Apple: Subscribe above!Not Apple: https://fwends.supercast.comRATE AND REVIEWIf you'd be so kind, we'd absolutely love you to leave a charming rating and review? In whatever podcast app you're in right now...a little 5 stars will do?FOLLOW FWENDS ON INSTAGRAMGeorgia MooneyKyran NicholsonRhys NicholsonComedy RepublicProduced by Comedy Republic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Crisis Queen!We are joined by the wonderful Helen Bauer (Trusty Hogs, Helen's Log). We sat Helen down to discuss the high-stakes world of international friendship, why she is a "smash in emergency" friend, and how she once propositioned our host in a school cafeteria.You can also now watch the full ep on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WF0IKNQQVv4Inside the EpisodeThe Crisis Captain: Why Helen prefers her friends when they are having a breakdown rather than when they are thriving.The Ultimate Care Package: Helen’s step-by-step guide to nursing a friend back to health, involving lavender eucalyptus mist and oversized pajamas.Little Women Fever: The group debates who is the Jo, the Meg, and the Beth of the friendship group.The "Naked as Frankenstein" IncidentSEE US LIVE AT MICF 2026We are bringing FWENDS to the stage at Comedy Republic for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival! Tickets are almost gone. 📅 Saturday, 11 April @ 3:00pm 🎟️ BOOK TICKETS HERE: https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/event/38:542/38:2033/FOLLOW FWENDS ON INSTAGRAMFwends: @fwendspodHelen Bauer: @helenbauerGeorgia Mooney: @georgiamooneyKyran Nicholson: @kyrannicholsonRhys Nicholson: @rhysnicholsonComedy Republic: @comedyrepublicmelbWatch the full ep on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WF0IKNQQVv4Produced by Comedy Republic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Only Fwends! Every fortnight, between interviews, we three Fwends have a little natter.On this episode, Rhys and Kyran have just been to Disneyland and are giddy as kiddies about it. That is, we'll be honest, most of the episode. And then Georgia presents a business idea.SEE US LIVE AT MICF 2026We are bringing FWENDS to the stage at Comedy Republic for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival!Tickets are almost gone.📅 Saturday, 11 April @ 3:00pm🎟️ BOOK TICKETS HERECONTACTVoicemail - speakpipe.com/fwendspodEmail - [email protected] - PO Box 24144, Melbourne, VIC 3001, AustraliaFWENDS WITH BENEFITSGet ad free listening and access to the Simply Marvellous archive! (Simply Marvellous both the perfect adjective and also actually just the name of the old show). Plus other fun stuff!Apple: Subscribe above!Not Apple: https://fwends.supercast.comRATE AND REVIEWIf you'd be so kind, we'd absolutely love you to leave a charming rating and review? In whatever podcast app you're in right now...a little 5 stars will do? FOLLOW FWENDS ON INSTAGRAMNish KumarGeorgia MooneyKyran NicholsonRhys NicholsonComedy RepublicProduced by Comedy Republic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're Back!To kick off the brand new season, we are joined by the incomparable Nish Kumar (Pod Save the UK, Taskmaster, The Bugle). We sat Nish down on the set of Off Menu (we changed the logo on the telly, don't tell Ed and James) to discuss the high-stakes world of international friendship. You can also now watch the full ep on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1_dgQHE-g-sInside the Episode-The Ravioli Incident: Why a 3-year-old Nish thought white people were eating hot tea bags.-The Great Euston Rescue: The heartwarming story of James Acaster liberating Nish from a panic attack at a train station.-The "X-Men" Theory: Why your friendship group needs a Wolverine, a Food Captain, and someone to sink a boat with.-The ADHD "Superpower": Is it a gift? Or is it like Superman shitting himself every fourth time he flies? (Nish and Rhys have thoughts).SEE US LIVE AT MICF 2026We are bringing FWENDS to the stage at Comedy Republic for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival! Tickets are almost gone.📅 Saturday, 11 April @ 3:00pm🎟️ BOOK TICKETS HERE: https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/event/38:542/38:2033/FOLLOW FWENDS ON INSTAGRAMNish Kumar: @mrnishkumarGeorgia Mooney: @georgiamooneyKyran Nicholson: @kyrannicholsonRhys Nicholson: @rhysnicholsonComedy Republic: @comedyrepublicmelbWatch the full ep on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1_dgQHE-g-sProduced by Comedy Republic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're baaaaaaaack! After a well-earned (?) break, Rhys, Kyran & Georgia return and get STRAIGHT TO SMUT. In the first episode of 2026, we discuss slender ear canals, dry ear canals, American toilets, and weather apps. It's sexy stuff. We've missed our Fwends!FWENDS: LIVE! at Melbourne International Comedy Festival: TICKETS HEREFWENDS WITH BENEFITS IS HERE! You can now support us coming into your ears each week. Not like that. Grow up. Details below.- - -CONTACTVoicemail - speakpipe.com/fwendspodEmail - [email protected] - PO Box 24144, Melbourne, VIC 3001, AustraliaFWENDS WITH BENEFITSGet ad free listening and access to the Simple Marvellous archive! (Simply Marvellous both the perfect adjective and also actually just the name of the old show).Apple - Subscribe above!Not Apple - https://fwends.supercast.comRATE AND REVIEWOf course you've already subscribed or followed the show, now we'd love you to leave a rating and a review. In whatever podcast app you're in right now, just throw down the 5 stars. Will make our day, and help to get the podcast into more people's ears (which will ultimately mean even bigger name guests for you!)INSTAGRAMFwends PodGeorgia MooneyRhys NicholsonKyran NicholsonYOUTUBESoon (how soon we don't know) you will be able to watch clips of the show on YouTube, click through and hit subscribe now to get them the second they appear: Fwends Pod YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ANNOUNCING THE VERY FIRST FWENDS LIVE SHOW!!!As part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival on Saturday 11 April, 3:00pm Rhys, Georgia and Kyran will take to the Comedy Republic stage for a live interview with a very special guest. They will also be tap dancing. For reasons only truly long time listeners will recall.As a Fwend With Benefits you get access to tickets for 24 hours before anyone else, by clicking here: https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/event/38:542 For everyone else it will go on sale midday Melbourne time, Thursday 15th January, 2026.You should come!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the fourth and final instalment of our Best of 2025 compilations! And it's a sentimental one. We revisit some of the highlights from our interviews over the past year, finishing with the fourth Fwend Question we ask our guests: "Who is your Forever Fwend?"00:00 - Fwends say hi!16:05 - Gillian Cosgriff40:51 - Clare Bowditch49:23 - Ben Shewry1:04:24 - Erik Jensen1:13:20 - Lazy Susan1:20:24 - Geraldine Hickey1:29:51 - Zoë Coombs Marr1:46:49 - Sarah Blasko1:50:48 - Michelle Brasier2:04:37 - Fwends say bye!FWENDS WITH BENEFITS IS HERE! You can now support us coming into your ears each week. Not like that. Grow up. Details below.- - -CONTACTVoicemail - speakpipe.com/fwendspodEmail - [email protected] - PO Box 24144, Melbourne, VIC 3001, AustraliaFWENDS WITH BENEFITSGet ad free listening and access to the Simple Marvellous archive! (Simply Marvellous both the perfect adjective and also actually just the name of the old show).Apple - Subscribe above!Not Apple - https://fwends.supercast.comRATE AND REVIEWOf course you've already subscribed or followed the show, now we'd love you to leave a rating and a review. In whatever podcast app you're in right now, just throw down the 5 stars. Will make our day, and help to get the podcast into more people's ears (which will ultimately mean even bigger name guests for you!)INSTAGRAMFwends PodGeorgia MooneyRhys NicholsonKyran NicholsonYOUTUBESoon (how soon we don't know) you will be able to watch clips of the show on YouTube, click through and hit subscribe now to get them the second they appear: Fwends Pod YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.