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Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading

by Better Reading Podcast

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Latest episodes

Stories Behind The Story: Heather Morris on survival and the power of music

October 25, 2026 · 31 min

Heather Morris joins Cheryl Akle to discuss her latest novel, The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse, and the remarkable true story that inspired it. She shares how a chance conversation with composer Hans Zimmer led her to this story of…
Stories Behind The Story: Michael Robotham on The 40-Year-Old Novel He Finally Shared

October 18, 2026 · 32 min

What happens when a bestselling crime writer returns to the novel he first wrote in his twenties? Michael Robotham joins Cheryl to reveal the story behind Tell Me Something True, his deeply personal first novel set in Australia, and…
Stories Behind the Story: Nina Kenwood on Books, Writing and People Skills

October 11, 2026 · 30 min

What happens when a lifelong book lover becomes a writer? Nina Kenwood joins Cheryl Akle to talk about her new novel People Skills, a slow-burn romance set around a literary festival, and the winding path that led her there. From obsessing…
Stories Behind The Story: Ash Williams on Almost Killing It in Hollywood

October 4, 2026 · 32 min

What happens when an Australian comedian heads to Hollywood with big dreams and no idea what’s coming? Ash Williams shares the wild, hilarious and unexpected stories behind Almost Killing It in Hollywood, from chasing big opportunities to…
Stories Behind the Story: Tess Woods on The Cairo Bridal Shop and Finding Her Way Back to Writing

September 27, 2026 · 33 min

Three sisters disappear from a bridal shop at the foot of the pyramids. That’s where Tess Woods’ new novel, The Cairo Bridal Shop, begins. Tess joins Cheryl to talk about the very personal story behind the book, her Egyptian heritage, her…

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Stories Behind The Story: Yumna Kassab on Parramatta, Belonging and the Stories That Shape Us

September 20, 2026 · 36 min

Yumna Kassab joins Cheryl Akle to talk about the stories, memories and sense of place behind her new book. Yumna shares how growing up Lebanese-Australian in Parramatta shaped her writing, her unusual path from studying science and…
Everyone Has a Story: The woman who carried 15 children and gained 2 more in death

September 15, 2026 · 38 min

In the first episode of Everyone Has a Story, Sivine Tabbouch tells Cheryl the extraordinary story of her mother, Amina, who raised 15 children. Amina’s life was shaped by family, love, loss and extraordinary strength. As she grew older…
REWIND: Stories Behind the Story: Karen Brooks on brewing, her writing journey and bringing history to life through fiction

September 14, 2026 · 33 min

From the archives: Karen Brooks talks to Cheryl about her family-run brewery in Hobart, the influence of feminism on her writing, how she approaches research for her historical fiction, her connection to fantasy stories and what lies ahead…
REWIND: Stories Behind The Story: Blanche d’Alpuget on the Life and Legacy of Bob Hawke

September 10, 2026 · 27 min

In this replay of Stories Behind The Story, we remember acclaimed Australian author Blanche d’Alpuget, who joined Cheryl Akle in 2019 to talk about her extraordinary life, her writing career and her relationship with former Prime Minister…
Stories Behind The Story: Nadine Browne on finding her voice and trying to belong in the literary world

September 6, 2026 · 32 min

Nadine Browne talks to Cheryl Akle about her debut novel Gone Guru, a funny and chaotic literary mystery inspired by her own experiences as a writer in New York. She discusses imposter syndrome, class and cultural differences between…
Stories Behind The Story: Kbora and Razia Ali on identity, belonging and resilience

August 31, 2026 · 35 min

Sisters Kabora and Razia Ali talk to Cheryl Akle, sharing their family’s journey from Afghanistan to Australia. Exploring identity, belonging and resilience, Kabora reflects on becoming the first woman of Afghan descent to join the…
Stories Behind The Story: Hannah Richell on The Unexpected Ways Life Can Transform After Loss

August 3, 2026 · 41 min

Hannah Richell joins Cheryl Akle to talk about grief, love, writing and the unexpected ways life can transform after loss. Hannah shares how writing her memoir after the death of her husband Matt became an act of release, remembrance and…