Ep 38 - Friends! Don't miss this chat as Helena and Adam catch up with the hilarious, generous and thoughtful, Michael Lapina, who just happens to also be a world-class tenor! Michael spills stories about starting at Disney, juggling 3D printers and how Rotary helped him create real opportunities for young singers and the community. It’s warm, nerdy and full of practical inspiration.

Episode 37 - Friends! Helena and Adam back for 2026 and catching up on the past couple of months: think backyard barbies, the world’s sexiest mac and cheese and a glorious performance of Gilbert & Sullivan at the Palais. We trade hilarious backstage stories from Spain, festival chaos and surreal memories from London, before diving into what’s coming up for the year. Grab a drink, get comfy and come along for the ride! It’s a season full of passion, pratfalls and plenty of operatic goodness.

Episode 36 - Hey friends! Welcome to our festive season wrap! Helena and Adam get silly, swap stories from a wild year of opera and podcasting and dish on highlights, humiliations and big life moments (think moving house, role debuts and embarrassing gym tales).

Grab your seasonal drink of choice and join us for a warm, laugh-out-loud look back at the year. Merry Christmas and we'll see you on the other side!

Episode 35 - Hi friends! We had the most inspiring chat with Melissa Wegner, Executive Director with the Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program and the Laffont Competition. She walks us through international outreach, how the Met picks and develops singers and why mentorship, mental health and practical skills all matter, just as much as talent.

If you’re an aspiring singer, you’ll love her clear audition checklist (voice, musicianship, interpretation and career potential), plus reality checks about covers, timing and when to jump into the professional world. She also explains the newer, kinder side of industry training: financial coaching, performance psychology, intimacy coordinators and real community support.

Tune in for honest, friendly and super-useful advice whether you’re auditioning, considering a young artist program, or just want an insight into how singers can thrive in this wild opera life.

Episode 34 - Hey friends! Come hang with Helena and Adam as they catch up for a meandering chat: from hilarious Aussie lingo (like the Poddy) to TikTok triumphs and the importance of great repetiteurs.

We get the tea on viral videos, strange fan mail, masterclasses with young performers and even nude stage stories. Tune in and laugh along.

Episode 33 - Hi friends! Jump on in to this thoughtful, laugh-out-loud conversation with David Hobson as he shares tales of writing a rock opera version of Macbeth, swinging metres above a stage without a net and the time a hubcap doubled as a bonnet. It’s full of backstage madness, career pivots and genuine advice for young singers.

Expect candid stories about touring, teaching, authenticity in performance and why great artists keep learning. Don't miss this one!

Episode 32 - If you’re into behind-the-scenes opera gossip, this episode is for you. We hang out with Gerard Quinn and Chloe Morgan as they unpack life in Germany’s Fest system: the crazy rehearsal hours, costume nightmares, language mishaps and that infamous director who had everyone talking.

Expect high notes, wild backstage moments and honest talk about surviving and thriving in the Fest life.

Episode 31 - Watch out! We jumped in the car, braved the rain and took you straight into the Melbourne Recital Centre for the Herald Sun Aria final. Expect backstage vibes, on-road banter and honest takes on six incredible young singers. There’s talk about conductor magic, judging pressure and how repertoire and orchestra placement can change everything. Grab some road trip snacks and join us!