IN OUR EARS

Forget the 6pm news or the morning paper, podcasts have fundamentally changed the way we take in information – turning passive consumption into an active, curated experience. As the media landscape tilts towards intimacy and intention, a wave of regional storytellers are proving that the most powerful voices might just be the ones closest to home.

WRITTEN BY DONNA RISHTON-POTTER

In the quiet revolution of podcasting, listeners have become editors of their own media diet – tuning out the noise of mainstream spin and dialling into stories that resonate, educate, and sometimes even heal. Whether you’re walking the dog, washing dishes, or commuting to work, podcasts offer something startlingly simple and increasingly rare: the feeling of belonging and real human connection.

In the Northern Rivers and surrounds, that connection is being forged in unexpected places – through grassroots conversations about mental health, culture, art, climate and community, delivered with warmth, honesty, and grit. Amid a sea of global content, some of the most compelling stories are being recorded right here. These are the local pods worthy of getting in your ears.

Pru Chapman, One Wild Ride

THE INSPIRATIONAL

Hosted by Lennox-based entrepreneur and storyteller Pru Chapman, One Wild Ride is a love letter to good business, epic adventures and positive impact. Recorded mostly around her kitchen table in the Northern Rivers, the podcast dives deep into conversations with inspiring humans creating positive change.

With a background in psychology and business mentoring, Pru brings an energising mix of heart, curiosity, and real-world wisdom to every conversation. Her episodes champion grassroots business activists – from local legends to creative adventurers and global changemakers – reminding listeners of the extraordinary things happening right on our doorstep.

One Wild Ride captures the spirit of the Northern Rivers, a place Pru calls “the epicentre of good business.” As she puts it, “We always look to celebrity but never celebrate those in business making real, actionable change on the ground. There’s so much goodness happening all around us – I wanted to shine a light on those incredible stories.”

Tired of the endless negativity in mainstream media, Pru launched One Wild Ride to be an antidote: uplifting, educational, and full of heart. The podcast’s impact was quickly recognised, landing it on Apple’s ‘New and Noteworthy’ list on launching in 2018, where it featured for several months.

At its core, One Wild Ride is a reminder to “be proactive about what we choose to put in our eyes and ears”, and a rally cry to dream bigger, live bolder, and stay connected.

@pruchapman

Berrick Barnes, Steve Condon, James Wood

THE LIFE CHANGING

Born in Lennox Head during lockdown and bonded by sport, mateship, and a deep love for community, The Ball and All is as raw, real, and regional as it gets. Hosted by three mates – former Wallaby Berrick ‘Barnesy’ Barnes, sports business mentor Steve ‘Condo’ Condon, and former Junior World Surfing Champion James ‘Woody’ Wood – the podcast started as a lifeline.

Following the tragic suicide of a young local just before COVID hit, the trio felt compelled to spark real conversations and break the silence around mental health. What started as rough Zoom chats quickly became a heartfelt, face-to-face community project recorded in “The Shed”– Berrick’s garage. Early recordings drew small but loyal crowds, organically growing into a platform that resonated with locals and soon evolved into a powerful grassroots movement.

“A big thing we try to zone in on with the younger demographic is that it’s OK to reach out – it’s not a weakness,” says Steve.

Then, in 2022, when catastrophic floods devastated the Northern Rivers, the boys turned their growing platform into a greater force for good. Teaming up with Mick Fanning and Andy King, they hosted a live podcast fundraiser backed by Club Lennox, Cherry Street Bowlo, and Rotary legend Col Lee. The event raised over $1.5 million for mental health and flood relief – a defining moment that transformed the podcast into a local movement of support, action, and purpose.

“It morphed us into more than just a podcast,” says Steve. “It became a call to arms.”

Raw, funny, and deeply human, each episode features guests ranging from sporting legends to everyday locals, all sharing stories of triumph, struggle, and resilience. Now, with a loyal following and links to inspiring local initiatives, The Ball and All has quickly become a broader platform for unfiltered storytelling, authentic connection, and the kind of mateship that reminds listeners they're not alone. It’s proof that community storytelling – when done with soul – can change lives.

@theballandall_

Mel Bampton

THE ENVIRONMENTAL

From the riverbanks of the Northern Rivers to the Gold Coast hinterland, We Are The Riverkeepers is a bold new podcast championing the protection and celebration of our waterways. Created in collaboration with the Richmond Riverkeeper Association and hosted by renowned presenter and storyteller Mel Bampton, the series explores the deep and multi-layered role rivers play in both natural ecosystems and human lives.

This compelling series opens with Professor Mandy Reichelt-Brushett – scientist, educator, and outgoing Richmond Riverkeeper – setting the stage for a powerful lineup of voices including Indigenous leaders, ecologists, artists, and community activists. Their stories, insights, and lived experiences underscore a shared truth: the health of our rivers is intricately tied to our cultural identity, emotional wellbeing, and collective future.

What if every river was safe to drink from, swim in, and sustain life? It’s a question that pulses throughout the series, prompting listeners to rethink their relationship with water.

With each episode, We Are The Riverkeepers invites action, awareness, and a sense of guardianship – reminding us that protecting our rivers is not just possible, but essential.

@RichmondRiverkeeper | @melbampton_

 Anne Smerdon and Seabastion Toast

THE UNFILTERED CREATIVE

When artists, colleagues and firm friends Anne Smerdon and Seabastion Toast found themselves living at opposite ends of the Northern Rivers, they did what any creative besties would do – fired up Zoom and kept the conversation going. And when they realised their long-distance chats were basically rolling masterclasses in art, technique and existential ponderings, they hit record – and Smerdon Toast was born.

Named after a running joke about their surnames (and the oft-mispronunciation of Anne’s), this gloriously unfiltered podcast sees two representational painters dissect the messy, joyful and maddening reality of making art. Recording while they paint, their conversations are deeply honest, delightfully nerdy and often hilarious – defying the limits of audio to offer a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the life of working artists.

Each month, the duo sets a new painting challenge and dive into the grit and glory of their studio practice, unpacking everything from artistic process and imposter syndrome to AI-generated ‘art’ and the state of arts education in Australia. The podcast also shines a light on the often-invisible labour behind every finished piece, pulling back the curtain on the myth of ‘effortless talent.’ “Most people only see the polished work – not the struggle, the breakthroughs, the brain trying to solve a new visual problem,” Smerdon says. “Talent isn't a birthright. It's a result of dedication and hard work.”

From demystifying the creative process, to championing the value of the arts and sharing the solace found in like-minded connection, Smerdon Toast is a candid, paint-splattered invitation into the real lives of artists. Or as Toast puts it: “Whether it's providing comfort and inspiration to fellow artists or contributing (and hopefully elevating) the cultural discourse surrounding fine art, we hope that Smerdon Toast acts as both a warm hug and a stimulating dopamine boost.”

@annesmerdon | @seabastiontoast