Folks on Film is a chat show about parenting and movies. Every episode our hosts, Sam and Sarah, watch a movie with a dad or a mum in it, and then come together with another parent to talk about the film, it's depiction of parenthood, and how that relates to their own experience.

For this episode of the show, first broadcast August 17th, 2025, Sarah was joined in the studio by co-host Sam for a chat about The Castle. Using it's depiction of family as a jumping off point, they chat about family stereotypes in movies, gender authority in the home, and letting kids roam and experience the world.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect parents getting real and having a chat.

Come for the chat, stay for the vibe.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast July 20th 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sam sits down with Luke (teacher, musician and co-coach of the rampaging Castlemaine U9s), about what we can learn about dadding and parenting from the 2003 drama/fantasy, Big Fish. Using the film's depiction of fathering and family as their jumping-off point, the dads chat about being authentic for our family, passing traits down to our kids, and what we learnt about dadding from our own dads.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect dads getting real and having a chat.

Catch it while you can.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast July 20th 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sam sits down with Graeme Connors (country music legend, Mackay local, and also a grandfather), about what we can learn about dadding and parenting from the loveable and near-perfect family film, Finding Nemo. Using the trials and tribulations of clownfish dad, Marlin as their jumping off point, the dads chat about the importance of letting our kids engage in risky play, not being a helicopter parent, and how the instinct to sacrifice ourselves for the good of our kids never goes away, no matter how old they are.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect dads getting real and having a chat.

Just keep swimming, folks.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast July 20th 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sarah chatted with Helen (Castlemaine born-and-bred family counsellor, and mum to two tween girls) about the ABBA musical Mamma Mia! Helen and Sarah chat about being their authentic selves, building positive relationships, seeing yourself in your kids and the joy of singing. A few laughs, a few tears and maybe a garbage truck or two, fresh from Sarah’s lounge.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect mums getting real and having a chat.

It should put a fire in your soul.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast July 13th 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria.

In this episode of the show, both your hosts, Sarah and Sam, sit around on couches and chat about the nostalgia-fest, Radio Days. As a Woody Allen film, the conversation quickly got deep about the ethics around rewarding artists with criminal pasts or just general shitty behaviour. But it is also a movie about family and the memories connected to consuming media. So we spoke about that too.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect parents getting real and having a chat about doing their best.

Don't touch that dial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast July 6th 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sam sits down with Tim (frontman for You Am I, Hard-Ons, and North Melbourne tragic), about what we can learn about dadding and parenting from the 1980 Best Picture Oscar winner, Ordinary People. Using the trials and tribulations of Calvin and family as their jumping off point, the dads chat about grief, worrying about our kids, and dadding while in the public eye.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect dads getting real and having a chat.

It should be (extra)ordinary.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast June 29th 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sarah chatted with Sophie (circus performer, instructor, and ex-expat Australian), about the coming of age film Mermaids. Sophie is an acrobat extraordinaire juggling being a mum with travel, performance and grace (well most of the time). Being new to a community is something both Sophie and Sarah can resonate with. They talk about the challenges of living away from “home”, remaining true to themselves and their developing tweens. For those of you grateful for finding your feet and your community.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect mums getting real and having a chat.

It should be fin-tastic (yes, that is a terrible pun).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast June 22nd 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sam sits down with Stew (Radio Galah's captain and ex-youth worker), about what we can learn about dadding and parenting from the nostalgic National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Using the adventures of Clark Griswold and family as their jumping off point, the dads chat about Christmas traditions, financial pressures, and learning to not feel guilty for trying to have a life of our own.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect dads getting real and having a chat.

Come all ye faithful.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast June 8th 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, you get both hosts, Sam AND Sarah! They're here to talk about what we can learn about parenting from the Aussie sporting comedy, The Merger. It's a movie about country towns, prejudice, opening ourselves up to new experiences, and allowing the village to pitch in when needed to help raise our kids.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect parents getting real and having a chat.

Grab your footy beanies and plug yourself in.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast June 1st, 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sam sits down with Taylor (artist and your new friendly local Canadian), about what we can learn about dadding and parenting from the amazing freak-fest Everything Everywhere All At Once. As it turns out, there's quite a lot including the culture of family, how to do discipline right, and the beauty of accepting an ordinary life with our loved ones.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect dads getting real and having a chat.

More interesting than hotdog fingers.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast May the 25th 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sarah chatted with Tallace about the poignant documentary, Gayby Baby. Tallace is a local who is currently completing a PHD in the middle of making delicious treats for the local school, mothering two exceptional boys and keeping her community healthy with her medicinal produce.

Sarah and Tallace talk about feeling accepted, compromising for your kids, sibling love (and rivalry) and our role in shaping our kids’ moral compass. Tallace’s considered responses reflect the challenges faced by the queer community on a plebiscite that didn’t need to happen.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect mums getting real and having a chat.

Should be real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast May the 11th, 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this extra special Mother's Day edition of the show, Sarah talks to her boy Taylor about Wes Andersen’s charming adaption of Fantastic My Fox. Taylor loves gaming, Yu Gi Oh, and basketball. In this interview he is goofy, clever and devastatingly honest at times. Sarah and Taylor talk about kids and parents’ similarities, parents being proud, and how parents show up for their kids. 

Be ready for a take on parenting from a kid’s perspective. And a laugh or two.

Should be inter-generational.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast May the 4th (be with you), 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sarah chatted with Keeks about the movie Riding in Cars with Boys. Keeks is a local who is a pro roller skater, loves taking her bike out for an afternoon cruise and hanging with her super kid Ned. 

Sarah and Keeks talk about those uncomfortable conversations, repairing with your kid when mess up, dealing with disappointment and parenting your parents.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect mums getting real and having a chat.

Grab the tissues, this one’s a tearjerker.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast April 13th, 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sam sits down with Andrew (a good human and known to his mates as Noonge), about what we can learn about dadding from Matthew McConnaughey in gritty real-life crime drama, White Boy Rick. Amongst the laughs, the dads talk about our role as protector, how to let go of the past and let our kids grow up, and the difficulty of doing what's right for our kids even when they'll hate us for it.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect dads getting real and having a chat.

Because every day is McConnaughday.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast April 6th, 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sarah sits down with Erin (childcare worker and avid green-thumb) to chat about what we can learn about mumming from the rollicking adventure from our youths, Willow. They talk about being protectors to our kids, what a great family relationship looks like, and what it would take to be an evil mother. 

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect mums getting real and having a chat.

Things might get adventurous.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast March 30th, 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sam sits down with Camilo (social worker, events coordinator, and local legend) to chat about what we can learn about dadding from the violent prison drama, Starred Up. They talk about the boundaries of discipline, not standing in the way of your kids' freedom, and how we learn to be dads in the first place. 

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect dads getting real and having a chat.

Things might get hectic.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast on March 23rd, 2025 on 94.9 MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria.

In this episode of the show, host Sarah and her guest Letty (performer, producer, dancer, mover and shaker) have watched Still Alice (so you don't have to), and answer the eternal question: what can a movie about early onset Alzheimer's teach us about being a mum.

There'll be deep discussions about overcoming challenges, personal heart-to-hearts, and maybe a few tears.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect mums getting real and having a chat.

It should be unforgettable.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast March 16th, 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sam sits down with Harry (actor, producer, retailer) to chat about what we can learn about dadding from the super cheerful and definitely not depressing movie, The Road. They talk about reading to kids, being the "protector" of our children, and how to expose them to the shittier aspects of the world.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect dads getting real and having a chat.

Things might get grim.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast March 9th, 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria.

In this episode of the show, brand new Folks on Film co-host, Sarah, asks the question: what can the documentary Teaches of Peaches teach us about being a parent?

Not a lot, surprisingly, but also, maybe heaps? 

Sarah, in her first ever solo show, is joined by Liz (primary school teacher and music lover) to discuss the film marking the 20 year anniversary of Peaches' album of the same name. 

Together they delve into body image, life after kids, and what parts of them they would like to see in their kids. Not so much talk about vulvas but a lot of laughs and some insight into parenting beyond the party.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect mums getting real and having a chat.

Things might get loud.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was first broadcast on February 2, 2025 on 94.9 MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria.

In this episode of the show, host Sam and his guest Rich (photographer, broadcaster, and local sporting legend) have watched Boyz In The Hood (so you don't have to). Taking the depiction of the dad in the film (the effortlessly cool, Furious Styles) as their jumping off point, they talk about the importance of fatherhood, our "job" as dads, and the pearls of wisdom we like to bestow on our little ones.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect dads getting real and having a chat.

It should be emotional.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.