In the final episode of Unfolded for this season, Claire G. Coleman takes us into the workings of her story, Ancestral Memory / As Slippery as an Eel. We talk about how she finds inspiration in all kinds of mediums (especially music), how writing speculative fiction allows her to speak about the real world, and the importance of Ancient Knowledges and stories being told, without being exploited. About Claire G. Coleman Claire G. Coleman is a Wirlomin Noongar woman whose Country is on the south coast of Western Australia. She writes prose, non-fiction, verse and criticism and has written 4 books including Terra Nullius and Lies, Damned Lies. She is a founding collaborator on the Creative Climate consortium with her collective the Centre for Reworlding. Unfolded is produced with support from the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative, on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin Nation. The producers would like to pay their respects to the traditional owners, to their Elders past and present, and to acknowledge their storytelling history, which goes back tens of thousands of years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Chapter 6: Ancestral Memory / As Slippery as an Eel, by Claire G. Coleman
A navigator reckons with the gift, and burden, of ancient knowledge. Ancestral Memory / As Slippery as an Eel by Claire G. Coleman Read by Chelsea Hawke. Down in the belly of the ship, a crewmate waits for the test that will determine her role, and how she will pay her way on this ride across the stars. But it's in her dreams and the memories that can't possibly be hers that destiny awaits. A destiny shaped by blood. Ancestral Memory / As Slippery as an Eel, considers how there are some knowledges as old as time, ways of being, and knowing that will survive long into the future, perhaps even once we have left this world. About Claire G. Coleman Claire G. Coleman is a Wirlomin Noongar woman whose Country is on the south coast of Western Australia. She writes prose, non-fiction, verse and criticism and has written 4 books including Terra Nullius and Lies, Damned Lies. ' She is a founding collaborator on the Creative Climate consortium with her collective the Centre for Reworlding. Unfolded is produced with support from the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative, on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin Nation. The producers would like to pay their respects to the traditional owners, to their Elders past and present, and to acknowledge their storytelling history, which goes back tens of thousands of years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Chapter 5: In conversation with Miriam Webster
We get the dirt on how 'Farrow' came to be with Miriam Webster, and talk about our love of 'sparkly' language despite (or perhaps because of) it's limitations, writing for all the senses, and how Miriam was always going to be a writer, despite her best efforts. Listeners are advised that this episode of Unfolded comes with a language and content warning. About Miriam Webster Miriam Webster's fiction and essays have been published in Aniko Magazine, HEAT, Island, Overland, The Suburban Review, swim meet lit mag and certain zines. She was a Wheeler Centre Hot Desk Fellow and won the Peter Steele Poetry Award in 2025. Her first book, The Slip, is out now. Unfolded is produced with support from the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative, on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin Nation. The producers would like to pay their respects to the traditional owners, to their Elders past and present, and to acknowledge their storytelling history, which goes back tens of thousands of years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Chapter 5: Farrow, by Miriam Webster
A gardener seeks solace in the earth. Farrow by Miriam Webster Read by Molly Holohan Synopsis On the day of his Grandmother's death, a gardener digs back through the fertile ground of his memory, seeking something down in the roots of his family tree. He finds comfort amongst fecund, and a connection to the earth few of us will ever understand. Farrow delivers a sensory experience that goes beyond the page or the headphones, and leaves listeners tingling. Listeners are advised that this episode of Unfolded comes with a language and content warning. About Miriam Webster Miriam Webster's fiction and essays have been published in Aniko Magazine, HEAT, Island, Overland, The Suburban Review, swim meet lit mag and certain zines. She was a Wheeler Centre Hot Desk Fellow and won the Peter Steele Poetry Award in 2025. Her first book, The Slip, is out now. Unfolded is produced with support from the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative, on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin Nation. The producers would like to pay their respects to the traditional owners, to their Elders past and present, and to acknowledge their storytelling history, which goes back tens of thousands of years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Chapter 4: In conversation with Paige Clark
Join us as we speak with Paige Clark about what made her story possible. From inspirations and influences, to writing the specific and the hyperlocal. 'It's Possible' is a story about the big issues, and menace playing out in the minor moments. About Paige Clark Paige Clark is a Chinese/American/Australian writer and teacher. Her first book of fiction, She Is Haunted, was shortlisted for the Readings Prize and longlisted for the Stella Prize. Unfolded is produced with support from the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative, on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin Nation. The producers would like to pay their respects to the traditional owners, to their Elders past and present, and to acknowledge their storytelling history, which goes back tens of thousands of years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A gardener seeks solace in the earth. A pig hunt doubles as a first date. A young mother wrestles with what’s possible. A man is bitten by a fox. A table speaks. A navigator finds her destiny amongst the stars.
We’ve all read stories that changed our lives. We’ve all imagined places that feel like home. We’ve all met characters who feel like family.
Now, we’ll hear the stories, then go to the source. We’ll speak with the authors, to find out what makes a story great, where they come from, and why they connect.
These are stories: Unpacked. Understood. Unfolded.
Join us for season 1 of Unfolded as Seth Robinson and Tony Birch speak with authors Chris Flynn, Claire G. Coleman, Frankey Chung-Kok-Lun, Miriam Webster, Paige Clark, and Laura Jean McKay.
Unfolded is produced with support from the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative, on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin Nation.
The producers would like to pay their respects to the traditional owners, to their Elders past and present, and to acknowledge their history, which go back tens of thousands of years.
Hosts: Seth Robinson and Tony Birch
Creator and Executive Producer: Seth Robinson
Recording: Gavin Nebauer, Horwood Recording Studio, University of Melbourne
Editing and Sound Design: Nick King and Courtney Carthy, Nearly Media
Artwork: Tim Baker
Australia