Secrets We Keep

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Each season, Secrets We Keep investigates a different Australian secret.

CLAREMONT: The Trial (Season 13):
The shocking disappearance and murders of three young women in the affluent Perth suburb of Claremont 30 years ago became one of the biggest mysteries in WA history. Any hope of justice in the deaths of Ciara Glennon, Sarah Spiers and Jane Rimmer seemed bleak for two decades, with no sign of a breakthrough. That was until the arrest of Bradley Robert Edwards in 2016, who was subsequently charged with the trio's murders. In this series from our colleagues at The West Australian, you’ll hear the full story, go inside the courtroom for what was dubbed the trial of the century, be taken through all the revelations, allegations and talking points as the court case unfolded. First published to much acclaim in 2019 and 2020, this is Claremont: The Trial

Behind the White Line (Season 12): An investigation into Australia’s cocaine binge, Behind the White Line, traces the trail of white powder, from narco to nostrils. The series goes inside a $1 billion shipment, exposing a police turf war between the US DEA, the AFP and WA cops over an audacious sting to outwit a Mexican cartel. With exclusive interviews of high-ranking detectives, undercover operatives, DEA agents and coke users, Behind the White Line, examines the human cost of the world’s glamour drug hosted by investigative journalist Richard Baker.

Dezi Freeman: The Hunt (Season 11): Sovereign citizen Dezi Freeman, disappears into the Australian bush after shooting and killing two police officers, triggering a massive nationwide manhunt. This compelling six‑part investigation explores his radicalisation, the extraordinary pursuit culminating in him being discovered in a shipping container, and the lasting impact on the officers and families involved. Hosted by Michael Usher and Cassie Zervos.

The Children in the Pictures (Season 10): is an 8 part series hosted by Australian documentary-maker and father of two Akhim Dev, that powerfully examines how child abuse has become endemic online, and what we can all do to fight it.

Secrets We Keep: Uncovered (Season 9): takes you inside some of the most important investigations of our time, with our expanding network of journalists and sources from around Australia and beyond. Every week, Uncovered pulls back the curtain on the stories powerful people hoped would stay buried, by speaking directly to those who lived and breathed them.

Jailbreak (Season 8): Journalist Tim Elliott details the extraordinary story of Darko Desic, a fugitive who lived for 30 years on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.

Lone Actor (Season 7): Joey Watson traces the radicalisation trajectory of the Christchurch terrorist, asking the question - did he really act alone?

By Any Means (Season 6): An investigation into the modern fertility landscape, confronting complex questions about consent, identity and human rights.

Should I Spit? (Season 5): The origin story of the multibillion dollar consumer DNA industry. From police hoping to solve cold murder cases, to one of the most powerful churches in the world, everyone seems to want a piece of what makes you, you.

Pray Harder (Season 4): investigative journalist Richard Baker uncovers the unbelievable and compelling true story of Australia’s oldest and most hard line Pentecostal Church, the Geelong Revival Centre.

Baghdad Nights (Season 3): Richard Baker takes you inside Australia's biggest corruption scandal, finding out how Australia funded a dictator in the lead up to the Iraq War.

Nest of Traitors (Season 2): Joey Watson is pulled into the world of espionage, attempting to track down an Australian spy who turned to work for the enemy during the Cold War.

Shame Lies & Family (Season 1): A mystery photo of Amelia Oberhardt’s mum exposes the practice of shotgun marriages, forced adoption, and quiet abortions carried out in Australia until the 1980s.

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145 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes145

Newest first

Aug 5, 2024 · 28 min
Baghdad Nights - Episode 2 - Bread and bullion
How did the Australian Wheat Board (AWB) fund Saddam Hussein’s regime? Richard Baker speaks with Michael Long and Trevor Flugge from the Australian Wheat Board (AWB) to find out how Australia built a strong trade relationship with Iraq. Featured: Anwar Al-Rawi Maitham Al-alyawy Michael Long Trevor Flugge Get in contact: secretswekeep@sca.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 5, 2024 · 21 min
Baghdad Nights - Episode 1 - The bloke with the gun
In the lead up to the Iraq War, the Australian Wheat Board (AWB), gave $300 million in illicit funds to Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Journalist Richard Baker meets Trevor Flugge, the AWB’s chairman who went on to be the poster boy for the corruption scandal, thanks to a leaked photo. Featured: Trevor Flugge Get in contact: secretswekeep@sca.com.au Credits: Creator and Host - Richard Baker Producers - Alastair Kirkby and Joey Watson Sound design and mix Kyle Hopkins Fact checking - Madeline Larsen, Holly Mitchell, Bonnie Lavelle, and Michaela Savage Production assistance - Kelli Foulstone Executive Producer - Ellen Leabeater With thanks to Clair Weaver and Jake Morcom Theme music - Lem Zakharia Story consultant - Kate Cole-Adams Head of News and Information - Melanie Withnall See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 25, 2024 · 3 min
Introducing Baghdad Nights
It’s Australia’s biggest corruption scandal: $300 million funnelled to a notorious dictator via dodgy wheat contracts in the lead up to the Iraq War. Award-winning journalist Richard Baker takes you inside the scandal, with the help of three wheat salesmen caught in the middle of extraordinary world events. Were they cowboys who pocketed millions for their company? Scapegoats for a government stuff up? Or something in between... Secrets We Keep: Baghdad Nights launches August 6. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 6, 2024 · 35 min
Nest of Traitors - Episode 7 - Honey badger
Joey travels to Melbourne to try and meet a living mole suspect to finally get some answers. If you have any feedback or information about this story you can email secretswekeep@sca.com.au or you could send Joey a letter GPO Box 22, Sydney NSW 2000. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 28, 2024 · 27 min
Nest of Traitors - Episode 6 - The suspects
A KGB defector directs Joey towards a former British politician. Joey investigates and finds the names of four potential moles who operated inside ASIO during the Cold War. He begins searching for the four suspects. If you have any feedback or information about this story you can email secretswekeep@sca.com.au or you could send Joey a letter GPO Box 22, Sydney NSW 2000. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 21, 2024 · 33 min
Nest of Traitors - Episode 5 - Looking for moles
A rendezvous leads Joey to an apartment where a source tells him that more information about the suspected moles might lie in a top secret government report. When he realises only the Prime Minister’s office can authorise the report to be released, Joey takes his questions all the way to the top. If you have any feedback or information about this story you can email secretswekeep@sca.com.au or you could send Joey a letter GPO Box 22, Sydney NSW 2000. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 14, 2024 · 30 min
Nest of Traitors - Episode 4 - Cold War Warriors
Joey meets a man who investigated ASIO in the 1970s, to find out what made the spy agency vulnerable to being infiltrated by the KGB. ASIO was directed to search for traitors, but the internal investigations were inconclusive. If you have any feedback or information about this story you can email secretswekeep@sca.com.au or you could send Joey a letter GPO Box 22, Sydney NSW 2000. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 7, 2024 · 30 min
Nest of Traitors - Episode 3 - Welcome to Woomera
Joey drives into the middle of the desert to find out why Australia became a target for the KGB. He learns that Australia was a bigger player in the Cold War than he’d ever imagined, and how the mole could’ve had access to secrets from its powerful Western allies. If you have any feedback or information about this story you can email secretswekeep@sca.com.au or you could send Joey a letter GPO Box 22, Sydney NSW 2000. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 31, 2024 · 29 min
Nest of Traitors - Episode 2 - Fabric of nightmares
Who were the KGB? What was ASIO up against? To help his mole hunt, a former spy takes Joey inside ASIO during the Cold War. He points Joey to a KGB spy called Gerontiy Lazovik who may have recruited a mole in Australia. As Joey dives deeper into this story, he begins to suspect there was more than one mole. If you have any feedback or information about this story you can email secretswekeep@sca.com.au or you could send Joey a letter GPO Box 22, Sydney NSW 2000. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 31, 2024 · 28 min
Nest of Traitors - Episode 1 - Operation Liver
Three years ago, journalist Joey Watson learnt about the ultimate spy story. During the Cold War, the Australian spy agency ASIO was infiltrated by the enemy - one of their spies turned and began working for the KGB, the Soviet Union’s feared spy agency. They became a mole. For decades, the mole's identity remained a mystery and the damage they caused unknown. To uncover the truth, Joey sets out to find them. Joey starts by meeting the main suspect who was arrested in the early 1990s and uncovers a much bigger story about secrets and power. Nest of Traitors: Declassified is a behind-the-scenes peak at what goes into making the podcast series with Joey Watson and Clair Weaver. If you have any feedback or information about this story you can email secretswekeep@sca.com.au or you could send Joey a letter GPO Box 22, Sydney NSW 2000. Credits: Creator and Host - Joey Watson Supervising Producer - Jake Morcom Executive Producer - Ellen Leabeater Fact check - Bonnie Lavelle Sound design - Nial Fernandes Theme - Matt Nikolic With thanks to Clair Weaver, Simon Beaton, Alastair Kirkby, Emma Lancaster and Mike Williams Melanie Withnall - Head of News and Information See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 18, 2023 · 2 min
The next Australian secret
Amelia Oberhardt introduces Season 2 of Secrets We Keep - Nest of Traitors. Hosted by Joey Watson, the season investigates another big Australian secret. Launching January 23. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 18, 2023 · 3 min
Introducing Nest of Traitors
Three years ago, journalist Joey Watson was pulled into the ultimate spy mystery. During the Cold War, the Australian spy agency ASIO was infiltrated by a Soviet mole. For decades the mole's identity was buried and the damage they caused unknown. To uncover the truth, Joey sets out to find the mole. It’s a story about power, national secrets and how countries behave when they think no-one is watching. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 22, 2023 · 40 min
Shame, Lies & Family - Bonus - Your Stories
Closed adoptions have affected many Australian families, and no one experience is the same. In this episode, you'll hear how forced adoptions have affected people from a new perspective - two adoptees, and one father. Lifeline: 13 11 14 Forced Adoption Support Service: 1800 21 03 13 List of organisations that can help See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 9, 2023 · 16 min
Shame, Lies & Family - Bonus - Finding your family
If you or your family have been affected by forced adoption, it can be daunting to start your journey to find information about your history. However support is available, and host Amelia Oberhardt speaks to two post adoption support services about how someone can navigate this journey. Forced Adoption Support Service: 1800 21 03 13 List of organisations that can help Adopt Perspective Podcast Featured: Charlotte Smith - CEO of Vanish Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland Rachel Bell - Social Worker, Forced Adoption Support Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 2, 2023 · 22 min
Shame, Lies & Family - Repeat or repair
In the final episode of the season, Amelia Oberhardt reflects on what she's learnt in the series, and confronts one last stigma - her mother's alcohol dependency. Support services: National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline: 1800 250 015 Lifeline: 13 11 14 Forced Adoption Support Service: 1800 21 03 13 Featured: Jennifer McRae Danae Witherow Professor Dan Lubman - Turning Point See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 25, 2023 · 30 min
Shame, Lies & Family - The abortion raid
In researching the series, Amelia Oberhardt heard a shocking story about a Queensland abortion raid that showed another side of how women were treated in Australia’s not too distant past. Amelia finds out more about the options women had when faced with an unplanned pregnancy, the road to legalising abortion, and what happened one Monday morning in May 1985. Featured: Caroline de Costa – Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the College of Medicine at James Cook University Lorraine Smit – former counsellor and assistant, Children by Choice Judy Petroeschevsky – former counsellor, educator and co-ordinator, Children by Choice David Grunmann – Queensland surgeon See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 18, 2023 · 27 min
Shame, Lies & Family - Coming home
Leonie Pope was taken from her mother as a baby in 1972, after her mother was coerced into signing forms that gave away her rights. Leonie and her siblings were all taken from their family, and are part of the Stolen Generations. Leonie was fostered and adopted to a Welsh family, and spent her childhood on the other side of the world, growing up in Wales. This is Leonie’s story of coming home. You’ll also hear from Dr Mary Graham, about her work to change the approach of child welfare agencies in Queensland. Gayaa Dhuwi: https://www.gayaadhuwi.org.au/if-you-need-help/ A spokesperson for the Mater Hospital said: 'Forced adoptions occurred in Queensland into the 1970s and were usually procured by social workers or departmental officers acting for the State Government, which issued a formal apology for the policy in 2012. Mater fully endorses the apology given by Catholic Health Australia in 2012 for the role that some Catholic hospitals and health services played in this widespread practice.’ The Mater didn't address questions about the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children during the 1940s-1980s.' Responding to questions about a redress scheme in Queensland for Stolen Generations survivors, a spokesperson for the Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts said: 'The Queensland Government recognises Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to experience the ongoing impacts of previous State and Commonwealth laws, policies and programs, including in relation to children. The Queensland Government is committed to improving the health and wellbeing outcomes of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples who experience disparity. We are doing this by restoring local decision-making authority and establishing place-based partnerships to ensure communities are leading the way as we work to Close the Gap.' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 11, 2023 · 11 min
Shame, Lies & Family - Ghost Kingdom
We’ve been inundated with responses and questions from you, with your stories from the forced adoption era. Dr Susan Green is a psychologist and adopted person and speaks to Amelia Oberhardt to answer questions about the psychological impacts of forced adoption. We’ll be back to our normal format next week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 4, 2023 · 34 min
Shame, Lies & Family - Where do I come from?
It’s a decade this year since Julia Gillard’s apology to those affected by forced adoption, but there’s still unfinished business. Now, it’s the adoptees picking up the baton and carrying on the fight for recognition, redress, and justice. Amelia speaks to two adoptees – Jennifer McRae and Danae Witherow – about how being taken from their mothers has affected their lives, and their push for an inquiry in Western Australia. Shakira Ramsdell explains what's happening in Victoria, the one state in the process of setting up a redress scheme. Forced Adoption Support Service: 1800 21 03 13 UPDATE: A spokesperson from the WA Department of Communities responded after deadline, writing 'formal integrated birth certificates [are] currently not available' but are being considered. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 28, 2023 · 38 min
Shame, Lies & Family - In the child’s best interest
At its peak in the early 1970s, almost 200 babies per week were adopted in Australia. It’s impossible to know how many of these adoptions involved coercion, but we do know that it was a time many believed single women were incapable of looking after their children. In this episode, Amelia Oberhardt looks at how this system was allowed to operate, and what lead to forced adoption ending. If you would like to share your story, email secretswekeep@sca.com.au Forced Adoption Support Service: 1800 21 03 13 Featured: Patricia Farrar - Mother, PhD Shurlee Swain - Emeritus Professor, Australian Catholic University See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.