Breaking Waves is a program about smashing stereotypes and dispelling stigma. It’s about daring to be different, and getting maximum fun out of life. Honest, provocative and often hilarious, Breaking Waves is training a new generation of radio personalities and presenters, skilling them up and letting them loose on the airwaves. They’ll make you laugh and sometimes you’ll shed a few tears. Breaking Waves is brought to you by Eastside Radio and produced in the 89.7FM Paddington studios in Sydney in association with the Community Broadcasting Foundation.
In this episode of Breaking Waves, John and Riley explore synchronicity — the strange feeling that events “line up” with meaning beyond simple cause and effect. They unpack Carl Jung’s original idea of meaningful coincidence, trace the word’s roots through language and etymology and ask where synchronicity overlaps with perception, pattern recognition, spirituality and psychology. […]
In this episode of Breaking Waves, John and Riley explore the meaning of nobility — from royal bloodlines and aristocracy to virtue, dignity and moral character in the modern world. Drawing on philosophy, etymology and cultural history, they trace how ideas of nobility evolved from ancient fame and greatness to ethics, behaviour and power. The […]
In this thought-provoking episode of Breaking Waves, John and Riley dive deep into the meaning of passion — how the word has evolved from ancient ideas of suffering and spiritual possession to modern notions of love, desire, creativity and motivation. Drawing on philosophy, religion, psychology and popular culture, the conversation traces passion from its Greek […]
This festive episode of Breaking Waves celebrates Christmas in all its warmth, weirdness and wonder. From Dutch carols and Feliz Navidad to French holiday classics, the show mixes music, memory and plenty of good humour. Shai joined is joined by his wonderful mum Arahni, to chat about the origins of Christmas, the Dutch roots of […]
Read More… from Breaking Waves – Episode 339: Christmas Special
In this week’s episode of Breaking Waves, Hugh and Shai dive into the electrifying world of 1940s jazz—a decade that reshaped modern music. From the big-band swing era to the birth of bebop and the cool, spacious sound of early Miles Davis, the duo guide listeners through the artists, the history and the cultural shifts […]
Read More… from Breaking Waves – Episode 338: Jazz in the 1940s
In Episode 337 of Breaking Waves on Eastside Radio 89.7FM, Hughie fills in for Geoff alongside the always-brilliant Shai, who leads a joyful, curious and wonderfully unpredictable dive into Canadian culture, history, music and sport. From snowy Quebec to downtown Toronto, this week’s show celebrates the country that shaped part of Shai’s family story. Shai […]
Read More… from Breaking Waves – Episode 337: A Canadian Adventure
In Episode 336 of Breaking Waves, Riley and John explore the idea of companions. They look at the people, animals and even unseen presences that share our lives. They start with the original meaning of the word — “one who breaks bread with another” — and show how companionship has moved from the dinner table […]
In this episode of Breaking Waves, Riley Thomas and John Mark dive into the world of archetypes — those familiar characters that appear again and again in stories and in our lives. They explore the hero, the villain, the fool, the hermit and the creator with an exploration of how these patterns shape the roles […]
In Episode 334 of Breaking Waves, Riley Thomas and John Mark bring humour and curiosity to a fascinating exploration of healing — what it means, how it happens, and why we seek it. From the ancient roots of the word “heal” to faith healers, shamans, and the wounded healer archetype, the hosts consider how humans […]
Step up to the plate for a grand slam episode of Breaking Waves! In Episode 333, Geoff and Shai welcome Cole Sheretz, the new owner and manager of the Sydney Blue Sox, for a lively chat about baseball, passion and building one of Australia’s most promising teams. From Oregon to Blacktown, Cole shares his journey […]
Read More… from Breaking Waves, Episode 333 – Swinging for the Fences with the Sydney Blue Sox!
In this Episode, Geoff and Shai discuss National Carers Week with humour and heartfelt reflection. Shai shares the funniest thing that’s ever happened to him — getting completely lost in an airport in Brazil — while Geoff recites a poem about the desire to simply relax. The pair also explore ‘Art From Behind the Wire’, […]
In this heartfelt and wide-ranging episode, Geoff and Shai open up about creativity, connection and community. Shai shares vivid stories from his childhood in Mozambique — growing up during conflict and building a life around art and expression. With more than forty exhibitions to his name, his reflections on painting, purpose and resilience are moving […]
Read More… from Breaking Waves, Episode 331: Art, Community & Connection