Coming of Age Stories

04/04/2024

🌟 NEW EPISODE 🌟
She's been at the top of the charts for over fifteen years, and currently is at the absolute peak of her fame and power. As someone who has documented her life in her work since she was a teenager, what the trajectory of Taylor Swift's career shows about growing up in the public eye, how a maturing perspective of relationships can be seen in her music, and explore why she has such an impact on young women in particular. I try to acknowledge the complexities as much as I can in thirty minutes! Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

25/02/2024

She's the megastar of the moment, particularly here in Australia as she sells out her concerts to screaming, crying fans. Love her, hate her or feel indifferent, there's no denying Taylor Swift has a hold on the world. But how do you go from a Shania Twain loving pr***en to a billionaire songstress? And what is it about her that resonates with teenage girls so specifically?
She's the topic of this month's episode, which will come out in the next couple of weeks. I confess it may be a little late as I am currently knee deep performing in the Adelaide Fringe, but it is coming soon!

01/02/2024

This month's bonus episode is out now for all Patreon subscribers! I continue talking to the incredible Tom Christophersen ( ) and they talk about their key influencers and experiences that led them to become the artist and adult they are today. We reminisce about primary school, talk about the importance of artistic expression for young people, and discuss being some of the only kids we know who had single parents. We also pored over our Year 7 yearbook, and dove into the Fab Friend File of the year 2000. (You can see photos here, as well as the original portrait Tom drew of me when we were about ten years old.) It's a ripping conversation, and available for just $5 a month when you sign up to my Patreon. You also get access to all my past and future bonus episodes. Sign up now at the link below:
https://www.patreon.com/WildeandDarling

28/01/2024

🌟 NEW EPISODE 🌟
I am so excited to share that this month, I talk to the talented, intelligent and passionate Tom Christophersen (Tom Christophersen Creates) about one of our seminal childhood films, the 1986 Jim Henson classic 'Labyrinth.'
Tom and I have known each other since kindergarten (see photographic evidence) and it was a joy to speak to them about, what we decided, is one of the greatest movies ever made.
Tom's love of this film can be traced back to childhood (again, see photographic evidence from our Year 7 yearbook) and this is basically two theatre kids fully nerding out.
We really get INTO IT in this episode. We talk about the incredible technical achievements in this movie, the magic of puppetry and practical events, and the underrated genius that is Jim Henson. Beyond that, we talk about this film as a q***r allegory, an extraordinary coming of age story, and an exploration of smashing the patriarchy. Topics of discussion also include the morbidity of kids movies from the 80s, David Bowie's clearly visible p***s, and the alternative universe where this movie stars Sting and Jane Krakowski.
You can find Tom's work at the link below and on social media.
Available now whenever you get your podcasts.
https://tomchristophersen.com

21/01/2024

Recording January's episode together with a special guest! So keen to talk about a seminal cult classic film, the magic of David Bowie, and the genius of Jim Henson.
Less keen on my dog having a go at this book when she was in her puppy phase...

23/12/2023

New episode!
In which I dig into the newest element of the Santa Claus story, and how a picture book and toy written by a mother/daughter team has become a global phenomenon. I discuss the history and origins of Elf on the Shelf, and explore some of the criticisms of it. Spoiler alert: this thing makes people MAD.
Available now whenever you get your podcasts.

20/12/2023

🌟 New Patreon bonus episode! 🌟
Actually, this month there are FIVE bonus episodes. Over the next few days in the lead up to Christmas, Patreon supporters can hear me reading 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens. You'll get a chapter a day in your feed until the 25th.
You can sign up to be a Patreon at the link below.
Happy holidays everyone! May your Christmas Eve be free of ghosts. (Unless that's something you need.)
https://www.patreon.com/WildeandDarling

28/11/2023

✨ NEW EPISODE ✨
Most shows about teenagers heighten their world, make them more articulate, and give them plenty of exaggerated drama. In 1999, Paul Feig and Judd Apatow attempted to make a show that reflected the awkward, uncomfortable, yet hilariously fun reality of being an adolescent. It is brilliant, timeless, features an all star cast at the beginning of their careers, and widely regarded as one of the greatest shows of all time.
Too bad no one watched it when it was on.
Join me for a deep dive into "Freaks and Geeks", its origins, its struggles, and what makes it so special. Available now wherever you get your podcasts.

25/11/2023

Few things make it clearer that NBC did not know how to market this show than this absurd photo shoot.
A deep dive into one of the best teen shows of all time is coming this week.
Shout out if you know what it is.

01/11/2023

✨NEW EPISODE✨
That's right - after over a year, I am back! Just a little teaser to start on the origins of Halloween but starting in November there'll be new episodes monthly. I am so excited to be making these episodes again. Please subscribe on the podcast app of your choice, and you'll hear from me again soon!

23/01/2022

My little podcast reached 500 downloads this week! It's a reletively small milestone but for a project that has just six episodes, an inconsistent update schedule and a theme that is complex and broad, it feels incredible. Thank you to everyone who has listened and shared. There's more to come in 2022, and I am so excited to see what this little passion project can do.

18/01/2022

New episodes of my YouTube book series! To accompany the latest episode of the podcast, I am reading and discussing Peter Pan and Wendy. There's two videos out already covering the first four chapters. Check it out, if you feel so inclined.

Chapter 1 - Peter Breaks ThroughChapter 2 - The ShadowIn which we meet the Darling family, hear about Neverland, and talk about whether J.M. Barrie's ironic ...

09/01/2022

So thrilled to have this book arrive today to help with research on a future episode. Any guesses on the topic?

05/01/2022

New episode! This is one I've been planning since the beginning, and probably won't be the last on this particular tale. The episode focuses on the history of James Barrie's story, why I don't think Peter is the protagonist, and what it has to say about growing up. Available now in most podcast catchers.

04/01/2022

New episode coming soon...

23/11/2021

As I prepare to release a new episode soon, I've started a companion Coming of Age stories companion series on YouTube. Over the next few weeks, I'll be reading through some classic stories one chapter a week. I am beginning, fittingly, with A Christmas Carol. First chapter available now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BTGA6bPNIg&t=16s

In which Sarah reads the opening chapter of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, we are introduced to the man named Scrooge, and a door knocker takes an unusu...

13/06/2021

On the latest episode, illustrator Sylvia Morris talked about the magic that she feels when she's able to convey something that feels true and authentic.
I loved listening to her describe her work to me, and I hope you will too.
Episode 5 available now in most pod catchers.

06/06/2021

New episode! For my first interview, I talked to Sylvia Morris, an illustrator whose work can be seen on middle grade book covers, in the book Shout Out to The Girls and in the NSW Department of Education School Magazine. A maths and science kid in school, Sylvia's path to becoming an artist for children was not straight forward, and we discuss how her own childhood shaped her work, the boxes we can find ourselves trapped in, and what makes a good illustration for kids. Available to listen now, wherever you get your podcasts.

You can find Sylvia's work at http://sylviamorris.com.au, as well as on the covers of The Grandest Bookshop in the world, The Detective's Guide to Ocean Travel, in Shout Out to The Girls, and the NSW Department of Education School Magazine. She is very clever and kind and talented.

30/05/2021

Look at me listening to Sylvia Morris with such rapt attention!
My first guest on the show, Sylvia is a brilliantly talented illustrator for children's books and magazines. In our conversation we talked about how she got started, how art can tell a story, and what makes an illustration work for young people. She was clever and insightful and funny and all the things I know her to be.
Episode coming soon...

24/12/2020

New episode! We all know Santa Claus lives in the North Pole and delivers toys to children on Christmas Eve with the help of his elves and reindeer. And we know that his inspiration comes from Saint Nicholas, a Greek man who was the patron saint of children. But what happened in between? Turns out it involves grave robbing, the Boston Tea Party, and a satirical book of Dutch history. Listen to me talk about the history of the legendary Christmas figure, and then ponder over whether this myth - or is it a lie? - is a good thing to tell to children.
Available in most podcast catchers now.

23/12/2020

How did a bishop from Myra in the fourth century become the origin for the modern day Santa Claus? A man who became a myth who became what many call a lie we tell children, the story involves a murderous butcher, a stolen skeleton and the American Civil War.
New episode coming to you on Christmas Eve.

13/09/2020

New episode is out! Under what conditions do we learn best? In both fiction and real life, there is an argument to be made that greatness thrives under pressure, fear and adversity. I make the case for the ineffectiveness of such teaching methods, and reject the notion that sacrificing kindness is worth it to create a genius. This episode really serves as an introduction of a number of different concepts I want to explore in more depth later, including conditioning, corporal punishment, the emotional education of boys, and the myth of the tortured genius. It also serves as a summary of my philosophy of learning. I talk about Whiplash, Michael Jordan, and A League of their Own. Available wherever you get your podcasts.

06/09/2020

It's going up a little later than intended, but my next episode will be out soon, and it's all about how people learn best. Do we achieve greatness through being pushed? Is tough love the only way to bring our the best in people? Should we sacrifice kindness for the sake of being the best?
Spoiler: I'm gonna say no.

10/08/2020

Thanks for all your support for my little podcast so far, folks. At this stage I'm planning on putting out one episode a month, so keep an eye out for my next one before the end of August. I've got a few topics in the pipeline, but I want to know if there's anything you would like to hear me talk about. Make a suggestion! Or did you have an interesting childhood experience or a coming of age story you love that you would like to talk to me about? Get in touch!

15/07/2020

New episode! Listen to me talk all about the development, evolution and legacy of one of the most iconic television programs of all time. One of the first shows to feature an integrated cast, air in colour, and be based on educational research, Sesame Street was created largely for children who were living in poverty or didn't have access to good preschooling. So, is it the greatest show of all time? Yes. The answer is yes.
Available wherever you get your podcasts!

13/07/2020

The episode dropping this week will be all about the development, evolution and legacy of Sesame Street. It's a show that has run over 50 years, and remained steadfast in its goal to provide entertaining and accessible education for children. But how did it begin? Why did they decide to set it on an inner-city street? Why were there no female muppets for years? And did they really sell out to HBO?
I'm going to answer all these questions and tell you way more than you probably wanted to know about this iconic show. Coming this week.

12/07/2020

I feel like everyone's got an old Sesame Street segment that they still remember fondly. I've got a soft spot for the Teeny Little Super Guy.
Been watching some of these old clips doing research for Episode 2, and it's brought me a lot of joy.
What's your favourite Sesame Street clip?

Teeny Little Super Guy explains that you must practice before you get good at just about anything, even if it's an eggbeater.

08/07/2020

Spending my week doing research for Episode 2, where I'm going to be talking about the greatest television show ever made.

05/07/2020

This is a tiny milestone, but a milestone nonetheless.
Thanks so much for listening and sharing the first episode. The support and feedback has been so lovely.
Next one should be up on the 14th July.

30/06/2020

First episode is live! 'Kids these days' talks about the history of child rights, the dismissive attitudes we have about young people, and the wild stuff that is happening in a teenager's brain.
Available on Apple podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast catchers.