Reviews
“If I can make a suggestion, on the awful audio clips which are indecipherable, pls just recap the info instead of replaying. I found it very frustrating trying to understand them.”
swmsbreezy via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/14/24
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“Perfection in story telling”
Passing time while driving via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
10/22/24
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“Incredible storytelling of an important story. The narrator is one of the best - she had me with her and Sarah and Nellie from the beginning. Love her voice; she feels like a good friend. Her care and dedication to this subject and the family is so clear and is wonderfully refreshing. This was...”Read full review »
Lyssalouhou via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
09/16/24
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“Highly empathetic and powerful story telling whilst naming the intersectional, structural oppression that harms so many. Thank you for your sensitivity in sharing Nellie’s story and others too.”
NFelsch via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
09/08/24
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“Love this podcast so informative and love how Kirsty is caring, relatable and helps Sarah find the answers she’s so desperately wanting!”
Nonzy19 via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
07/27/24
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“As a social worker, I’d highly recommend this podcast to other social workers. It is engaging and I’ve been listening obsessively every night at the gym.”
Bambi-Ruby via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
07/17/24
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“In the 60s and beyond, my great aunt was a founder of a well known charity that helped adoptive children and parents find each other.
She received an MBE for her work and I’m certain that she would applaud both Sarah and Kirsty for their work in this investigation. She was always for united...”Read full review »
Mahurutanga via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
06/26/24
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“This is a really insightful and interesting podcast. Well researched and told.”
ElSmurfo via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
06/17/24
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“This podcast pulled me right in. It was well researched and kept within journalistic guidelines, but still shared the emotions the journalist was feeling while riding the rollercoaster of emotions that she and her subject were dealing with while going through this journey.”
Lartrainer via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/11/24
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“i stumbled soon this podcast while browsing. it is an amazing podcast. fascinating,sad, thought provoking, funny and uplifting. the narrator is excellent! great listening voice. no sensationalism just telling of a story of an adopted woman looking for her birth family. i so enjoyed this podcast...”Read full review »
lyneee63 via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
05/17/24
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“Thank you Sarah and Kirsty. Such an important story to tell, covering so many life events.”
@dicycle22 via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
04/28/24
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“This is a well-told story of the impact of a mental health diagnosis on a woman and her family.
Institutionalisation,deinstitutionalisation - both pathways seem fraught for Nellie, her daughter, her sisters and Sarah’s father.
Have things improved? I’d like to think so, but so many people...”Read full review »
LizAnne S via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
04/26/24
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“This was so well presented and well done. I felt like I really got to know Sarah and Nellie. Thank you.”
Copperkoru via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
04/22/24
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“Thank you for telling this important story. The sensitive subject matter is handled with respect and consideration for everyone involved.
The only thing I don‘t appreciate is the extensive usage of original recordings of phone calls. The sound quality is not great which makes it hard to...”Read full review »
ArcticCrimeAddict via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/20/24
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“This is so well done. The difficult material is handled with such grace.”
Podlistener1618 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/17/24
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“Nga Mihi Kia Koe Korua, Thank you so much for taking me on your journey, ❤️.”
Curious Nancy via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
04/14/24
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“A thoughtful podcast that sheds light on what happened in state care through a personal story. I thought, on reflection, something was lost in framing it as looking into a potential crime. It was really about finding family and shedding light on what happened in state care. Post-Mason report...”Read full review »
Hoiho21 via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
04/13/24
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“One of the best podcasts, I’ve listened to in a long time. Excellent journalism.”
sweet777 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/11/24
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“What a thought provoking podcast. I’ve worked in aged care and mental health and this is fascinating. This is free of bias and so beautifully presented.”
Amyloubow via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
04/07/24
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“Great work Kirsty and team, and of course Sarah. Your editing made it extra engaging, and I’m sure many will find it informative, discouraging and frustrating. It’s maddening that the patriarchal, condescending rules laid down by previous generations running these institutions weren’t thrown out...”Read full review »
Pamela J Morgan via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
04/07/24
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“Beautifully narrated and so thankful for Sarah sharing her story with the world. More power to you Sarah ! 🤗🤗🤗”
Jenny from Oz via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
04/06/24
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“I found this podcast fascinating! Mental health in NZ is far to often ignored and underfunded. As a longtime sufferer of Anxiety/Panic Disorder I found this story alarming yet hopeful. It makes me very thankful for the changes made in the 1990s as I hate to think what my own and also the lives of...”Read full review »
ACtaz via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
04/03/24
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“I was hooked from the start, I could only imagine what a emotional roller coaster this was for all involved .
I was in awe of Sarah and how she processed the information she was given .”
turbo tug via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
04/03/24
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“An important and truthful account into recent history, recounted with love and care. Thank you.”
MarshlandsNZ via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
04/02/24
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“This is such a sad, eye opening story, and just so beautifully and compassionately told. As someone who suffers with mental illness, I really appreciate the respectful way in which Nellie is spoken about as a whole person, not just her mental illness. Thank you for this.”
Han Bambi via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
04/02/24
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“I’m in awe of Sarah’s strength and positive outlook. Nellie deserved so much better. I know that she’d be incredibly proud of her daughter. Thank you for sharing this important story in such a sensitive and professional manner.”
user202875987379 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/02/24
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“Loved this story. Well done to all of you brave courageous women involved
Including Nelly”
AHWillow via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
04/02/24
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“Congratulations to Kirsty and her research, empathetic, sensitivily reported, a must listen”
KellyA62 via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
04/01/24
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“An amazing story told brilliantly.”
wenpap via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
04/01/24
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“Sad but illuminating, particularly about life inside NZ’s institutions, however they were described. I grew up near Kimberley hospital and visited often. My mum became a foster grandparent to Sandy, a young woman who mum always described as “intelligent” and “fun-loving”. We lost track of her...”Read full review »
Bettynz2 via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
03/30/24
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“Binged this show in a day, couldn’t stop listening. The host was so thoughtful in her presentation and telling of the story. Well done and a beautiful wholesome story. Hope to hear more from her.”
amyeuphoria via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
03/29/24
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“I really enjoyed this podcast. Binged listened to it. Even sat my car in the driveway listening to it when I arrived home. Thouroghly recommend!”
Oscar773c via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
03/28/24
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“What a lonely life Nellie must have lived & felt being sent away at such a young age. It’s quite sad.
I found it sad too when Sarah said she felt like she wasn’t wanted. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been but Sarah sounds like such a beautiful person with a big heart!
Great podcast...”Read full review »
Modge1981 via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
03/28/24
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“I binged this podcast in a day. It was compelling from the first episode and made for fascinating listening. It’s a uniquely heartfelt story and well written, covering all the relevant side stories to fill out the narrative. I’m glad Kirsty persisted in bringing this podcast to the world and...”Read full review »
yepitstaken via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
03/27/24
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“Such an interesting and well presented story. I have listened with a roller coaster of emotions throughout Nellie’s story.”
Elf234244 via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
03/27/24
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“Beautifully presented and such an exploration of characters. This was such an eye opener into what people have suffered in institutions and how far we have come (and not come) in our society.
So well done and I’m glad Sarah has some answers and that Nellie has been remembered”
Hol1515 via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
03/25/24
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“Absolutely captivated and I'm only half way through. I need more of this content from this creator. I've actually turned the tv off and can't help but delve into life for poor Nellie. What a beautiful story and so well told!”Read full review »
KingCORA420 via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
03/25/24
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“Kirsty Johnson is one of Aotearoa’s best in investigative journalism & this is another piece of proof of the quality of Kirsty’s work .
I feel so much for Sarah & Nellie, & it was a privilege to be alongside Sarah in her search for information about her biological family.
In the...”Read full review »
Golzed via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
03/24/24
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“Compelling and well told”
debbides via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
03/23/24
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“It was so heartbreaking yet so heartwarming to listen to this podcast. As the doctor said she was worth remembering and I think many people will remember this story for a long time to come.”
Cwdhs via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
03/23/24
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“Beautifully and respectfully told. The best I’ve heard for a while.”
sallygirl08 via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
03/22/24
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“I have absolutely loved this podcast. Was hooked from the beginning. Such a sad story, Nelly’s life at Porirua hospital. How she got there, and conditions that Nelly lived with . So pleased Sarah got to meet Gordon and learn about her lovely mum. Thank you for such a great podcast. I was sorry to...”Read full review »
Pipi H via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
03/22/24
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“I couldn’t stop listening, this was a great series.”
Beryl2222 via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
03/22/24
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“Kirsty Johnston takes us on a journey of a woman’s search for her birth mother. There are some surprising twists and turns along the way. The story is beautifully told with empathy and it had just the right amount of background information. I learned a lot about institutional ‘care’/abuse in NZ...”Read full review »
RBay1971 via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
03/22/24
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“Wonderful story. Well presented and easy to listen to. It’s made me wonder just how many girls went through similar experiences during those years. Well done Kirsty! 👍
I hope there may be more stories like this in the future.”
Lazar86 via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
03/21/24
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“I’m not going out to dinner with my”
Chjbchjf via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
03/21/24
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“So great to listen to a good story, with emotional intelligent journalism. Thank you for sharing your story”
jellyselly via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
03/21/24
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“What a cliff hanger you have left us on after episode 7.
Loving the series. 😊”
Catherine22T via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
03/21/24
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“This is compelling listening.”
ME&SE via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
03/20/24
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