If These Trees Could Talk

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, crime and unexplained phenomena. She pays homage to the wisdom of the land and its original custodians, honoring 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

May 24, 2025 51 mins

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 centuries of ambition, heartbreak, resilience. Built by barrister and reformer Richard Windeyer, and kept alive by the unbreakable will of his wife Maria, Tomago House is...

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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 man strapped to a steel crucifix, known only as Rack Man. In this episode, we unravel the eerie mystery that ties this unsolved murder to the river’s depths, and to the tranquil little town we tho...

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April 26, 2025 35 mins

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 trials designed to shame. We trace the hidden stories of women like Ada Murray and Mary Ann Hughes.

We look back, not because history is a lesson, but becau...

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April 12, 2025 46 mins

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, rich with rare wildlife, untouched beaches, and incredible coral reefs.

I share our adventures, including our brush with fame on the tarmac as well as our discovery of the...

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March 29, 2025 49 mins

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 to 2019, from the Black Death to COVID—have we learned from history, or are we doomed to repeat it?

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March 16, 2025 79 mins

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 moments spent in its eerie hospital wards and secluded burial sites. Today, its historic sandstone buildings and abandoned corridors stand as a chilling reminder of its haunted past, ...

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March 1, 2025 40 mins

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 when even the most basic conversations about gender were unheard of, Eugene’s life was a painful testament to the cost of forced secrecy.

But as we examine his life and t...

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February 15, 2025 51 mins

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 secrecy, survival, and society’s rigid boundaries. Born in Italy in 1875 and later making his way to Australia, Eugenia lived as Harry Leo Crawford, a transgender man navigating a world that had...

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February 1, 2025 57 mins

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 people trying to connect him to the many disapearences in the remote region or is he just a man who we should all really look up to. 

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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 family's loss and their unwavering hope for answers. 

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December 21, 2024 59 mins

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. 

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December 7, 2024 32 mins

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.

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November 23, 2024 53 mins

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 couple’ of side quests as we revisit some of our childhood obsessions, explore Split Point Lighthouse, and take a peek into the life of convict William Buckley and how his dash to freedom left a ma...

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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.

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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.

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October 12, 2024 50 mins

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. 

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September 28, 2024 79 mins

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 candid discussions of suicide and mental health challenges.

 

Today, we are joined by our dear friend Rachel, and together, the three of us—myself included—share our personal experiences. Shanno...

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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 that may never truly be answered. 

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August 31, 2024 55 mins

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 their disappearance, examine the evidence that was—and wasn’t—presented during the murder trial, and discuss the surprising outcome.

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August 17, 2024 67 mins

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 fascinating insights into their behavior, habitat, and their role as ecosystem engineers. We’ll also discuss the crucial research Alex contributed to as part of the Birdlife Australia Bushfire Pr...

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