If These Trees Could Talk
With a deep-rooted passion for the forest, Shannon emotionally and hilariously guides listeners on a captivating exploration of the past, uncovering the forgotten narratives and hidden treasures buried beneath the earth’s surface. Shannon ventures into the realms of adventure, history, and unexplained phenomena. She pays homage to the wisdom of the land and its original custodians, honouring their deep connection to the earth and the timeless stories etched into its soil. Listen closely, for amidst the rustling leaves and whispering winds, the secrets of the past are waiting to be revealed. Welcome to ”If These Trees Could Talk.”
Episodes
Finding Your Path in the Most Unlikely Place
In honour of World Suicide Prevention Day, we share the story of Don Ritchie, the “Angel of The Gap,” whose quiet compassion saved hundreds of lives. We explore what it really means to be present for someone in crisis, and how connection ca…
Benjamin Boyd and the Echo of Ambition
In this episode, we head to Beowa National Park, to uncover the lesser-known stories behind one of Australia’s most infamous colonial figures, Benjamin Boyd- whose dicey legacy is literally etched into the landscape. We explore a life of a…
Peter Warner and the Real Lord of the Flies
From defying his millionaire father to racing in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, Peter Warner lived a life that refused to follow the map. His life reads like fiction - except every word is true. In this episode, we follow the remarkable j…
More than Alone - with Eva Angophora
What does it really take to live close to the land, to find strength in stillness, and resilience in simplicity? In this episode, we are joined by Eva Angophora — a rewilding facilitator, ancestorial skills practitioner, and deep believer i…
Stealing Freedom - Escape from Sarah Island
Hidden deep in Tasmania’s remote west coast, Sarah Island was once one of the most feared penal settlements in the Australian colonies. Surrounded by dense wilderness and raging seas, it was a place of secondary punishment — a last stop for…
What The River Taught Us
During our recent trip to Tasmania, we had a surprising highlight. Our hike to The Confluence — the meeting place of two rivers — and what we found was confronting. The Queen River, once flowing clear through the Tasmanian wilderness, is n…
The Mystery of the Min Min Lights
In the vast, unforgiving landscape of outback Australia, strange lights have been appearing for over a century, hovering, following, and vanishing without a trace. In this episode, we head deep into the red desert to explore the legend of …
Remembering the Myall Creek Massacre
In this episode we step into the truth of our History, tracing the events of June 1838, when 28 unarmed Wirrayaraay people were brutally murdered at Myall Creek Station. We explore what happened, how it happened, and the long shadow it cast…
Tomago House
In this episode, we join Anne and Renata from Newcastle Ghost Tours, legends of the Aussie paranormal scene, for an after-dark investigation of Tomago House. Nestled deep in the wetlands, this grand colonial homestead has seen nearly two c…
Patonga and the The Rack Man Mystery
Join us as we explore the natural beauty and charm of Patonga and then dive into the darker waters of its history. Because not far from this picture-perfect shoreline, its waters once gave up a secret it had been holding onto for years: a m…
A Woman's Body is not a Lesson
In every corner of history, desperation has driven women into impossible choices. From the lonely banks of the Paterson River to the locked wards of the Newcastle Industrial School. From whispered agreements on Oakhampton Road to courtroom …
Travel Diary - Lord Howe Island
A UNESCO World Heritage listed wonder where dramatic mountains meet turquoise lagoons, and time seems to slow down. Just 11 kilometres long and home to only a few hundred lucky residents, Lord Howe feels like stepping into another world, ri…
The Bubonic Plague Hits Sydney
In this episode, we uncover the forgotten stories of the first plague victims, the struggles of Sydney’s working poor, and the city’s sluggish response to a looming health crisis. As we look back, we ask: what has really changed? From 1900 …
Q Station
For over 150 years, Manly’s Q Station served as a quarantine site for those arriving in Australia, isolating the sick to prevent deadly diseases from spreading. Thousands of people passed through its doors, many never leaving, their final m…
Eugenia Falleni - Part 2
In 1917, Harry was convicted of murdering his first wife, Annie Birkett. The case was sensationalised, his gender identity exploited for scandal, and public discourse was shaped not by justice, but by shock and misunderstanding. At a time w…
Eugenia Falleni - Part 1
History often remembers its outlaws, its murderers, and its tragic figures, but it rarely asks - what could have been different? In this episode, we step back over a century to tell the story of Eugenia Falleni, who lived a life defined by…
The Button Man
For years stories have circulated about a mysterious man who roams Victoria's High Country known only as The Button Man. In this episode we ponder is he actually the Australian version of the Boogie Man as he has often been depicted, with p…
The Brutal Murder of Nigel McAree - A Family Seeks Justice
In 1975, Nigel McAree was shot in the back of the head and then decapitated at Governor Game Lookout in Sydney's Royal National Park. In this powerful episode, we speak with Nigel's niece Narelle Spencer about the enduring pain of her famil…
J Ward
In this episode we head to Ararat and take a look inside J Ward which began it's life as the Ararat County Gaol and later became apart of the Aradale Lunatic Asylum and was used to house the Criminally Insane.
The Yowie: Fact or Fiction
In this episode we chat with River Morris. River, a proud Wiradjuri man, shared with us some of his personal knowledge and experiences with The Hairy Man.
Aireys Inlet
In this week's episode, we head along the Great Ocean Road to Aireys Inlet for a trip down memory lane. It's our first time back in the studio for a few weeks, so there is a little unhinged madness as we catch up, as well as ‘more than a co…
Anne Hamilton-Byrne and The Family - Part 2
This episode is the second part of the story about The Family. We learn about the incredible survivors and cycle breakers of the Australian cult, ran by Anne-Hamilton Byrne.
Anne Hamilton-Byrne and The Family - Part 1
This episode is Part 1 of a glimpse inside of the Australian cult called The Family. We will take a look into the early life of Anne Hamilton-Byrne and the foundation of the cult.
Town Hall Cemetery
In this weeks episode we head to Sydney and explore the old Town Hall Cemetery, look at some problematic practices of early colony life and how they were literally uncovered over time.
When You Can't See the Forest for the Trees
This episode is a little different from our usual forest fables. As we approach October, which marks Mental Health Month, we’re embracing this year’s theme: "Let's Talk About It." And we do just that. Trigger Warning: This episode includes…
Captain Moonlite - Australia's Campest Bushranger
We take a look at Andrew Scott's early life, his crimes, and his connection to James Nesbitt and the Wantabadgery Siege. We also reflect on his death and the remarkable story that followed, leaving a profound legacy and a historical debate …
Russell Hill and Carol Clay
On March 20, 2020, Russell Hill and Carol Clay were tragically killed at a remote campsite in the Wonnangatta Valley. Gregory Lynn was arrested and charged with their murders in November the following year. In this episode, we delve into th…
Lyrebirds with Dr Alex Maisey
Today, we welcome Dr. Alex Maisey to the podcast. Alex will introduce us to the secret world of the Superb Lyrebird. After a recent visit to Barrington Tops National Park, we had some questions about this incredible bird. Alex will provide …
The House That Knew Too Much
In this episode we head to Junee in the Riverina of New South Wales to check out Australia’s most Haunted Homestead. We look into the early years of the settlement of the area and the life of Christopher and Elizabeth Crawley who built the…
Old Tom and the Killers of Eden
In this episode we head to Eden and Beowa National Park on the South Coast of New South Wales to explore the history of Davidson Whaling Station and the unique relationship that developed with a pod of Orcas known as 'The Killers of Eden'. …
Truganini
In this episode we look at the extraordinary life of Truganini. Who not only survived the Black War of Tasmania, but dedicated her life to the preservation of her people. For further resources on this topic visit the show notes: www.ifthese…