Beau Summer’s Experiencing Life podcast

Above: Beau Summers in his home office / podcast studio.

Story by Esther Thorn.

I’m doing the dishes as I start listening to the first episode of the Fleurieu Peninsula produced podcast ‘Experiencing Life’. But a few seconds in, and the heart wrenching words of former police officer Matt Newlands demand my full attention.

The story strikes a chord; my own husband is a police officer, and I am well aware of the mental toll years in the job can take. It’s more than the subject matter though that prompts me to put down the dish cloth – it’s the eloquent and mindful narration of the podcast’s producer Beau Summer, the seamless editing and the sleek production. ‘The hours I put into editing each one aren’t something I could even really keep track of,’ Beau tells me in a phone conversation a few weeks later. ‘It’s a bit embarrassing really, it’s certainly been a labour of love.’

I first met Beau at a circus class in Melbourne’s Docklands precinct in 2008. I was working for a commercial television network, and Beau was brave enough to tell me of his disdain for mainstream media. I was impressed (and a bit shocked) by his honesty and his refusal to back away from hard conversations. More than a decade on, these two qualities pervade Beau’s own foray into media.

In his opening words on the podcast, Beau describes ‘Experiencing Life’ as a ‘platform to share stories, to learn, connect and grow.’ The podcast aims to encourage discussion of topics that are often avoided, such as death and dying, depression and suicide, homelessness and voluntary assisted dying. ‘Sounds fun right?’ Beau tells the audience in his first episode.

‘I’m not sure I was aware of it when I started the podcast, but I’ve come to realise there is this common theme of death and dying,’ he explains to me. Beau delves more deeply into this theme in his soon to be released sixth episode. ‘I’ve had a bit of a break and it’s given me time to reflect on why I’m drawn to that theme,’ he explains. ‘So I’ll be bringing a bit more of myself into the podcast.’ In his daily life Beau is a paramedic, a husband and a father, among many other things. He came face to face with death seven years ago, when he battled – and beat – bowel cancer. He’s an avid reader and a deep thinker. When something sparks Beau’s interest, he dives in headfirst. He and his wife Jodie lovingly built their home in the Aldinga Arts Eco Village long before the development gained popularity.

I reconnected with Beau when we moved to Willunga and, since then, I’ve watched him embrace new ideas with unbridled enthusiasm. He’s thrown this trademark energy and creativity into his latest project. ‘I was very passionate about podcasts, actually it was becoming a bit of an obsession,’ laughs Beau. ‘We had this ongoing joke that I start every sentence with the words: “I was listening to this podcast and ...”.’

Beau took his passion a step further, and decided to not just listen to podcasts but to produce them. ‘I got myself a recorder and a microphone and did the first interview with Matt Newlands in April last year,’ he says. ‘I started out with just the one idea ... and then the others came pretty quickly after that.’ Guests on ‘Experiencing Life’ so far include a woman whose husband died of Motor Neurone Disease and a homeless man dealing with addiction. Beau shares each of their stories with sensitivity and care. ‘I just want the guest to tell their story and I’m finding my job as the editor is the creative process for me,’ he says. ‘I feel like I’m writing a book but using other people’s words.’

From the beginning, Beau had a clear idea that he wanted to create a highly edited, ‘polished’ podcast, and he finds great joy in the production process. ‘It’s lovely to finally have an outlet for creativity that contributes positively to the world,’ says Beau. ‘Everything else I’ve done creatively has just been a hobby, whereas this is something I’m able to share with other people. It’s something people can experience and enjoy, and hopefully learn from.’

Photography by Jason Porter. Hair by Michelle at Spoilt Rotten Hair. Make-up by Yvette Victoria Beauty Studio. Wardrobe and props by Chrissy Wright.

A woman of many interests, Lif is a trained yoga instructor, interior designer, contemporary theatre performer and currently works with the Village Greens of Willunga Creek bringing fresh organic produce to our community. She’s a passionate advocate for providing opportunities for social inclusion in the form of collaborative arts and music events.

Kelly’s connection to the Fleurieu stems from both work and play. As a travel and lifestyle presenter and writer for over twenty years, she is often out experiencing everything this stunning region has to offer to promote it through her work. Then when the story is filed and the camera goes away, she relishes time with her family enjoying the serene views from her parents’ home in Victor Harbor.

Chrissy and Bruce Wright have owned the holiday home they call Cha Cha Cha for over twenty years. Two years ago they bought and renovated the adjoining home and their two B&Bs, 1960s style Ooh La La and 1970s style Que Sera Sera, were the result. Their philosophy to reuse, rescue, salvage and save discarded items has created two unique accommodation options in Goolwa. Chrissy is also a passionate collector of 1960s and 70s clothing, furniture and knick knacks and loves taking people on a trip down memory lane or introducing younger folk to living in a different era. She now raises money for charity with swinging sixties fashion parades. Look out for the next fundraiser with Harcourts South Coast benefitting Operation Flinders on May 22.

F O O D W I N E G I N DISCOVERY

salopian.com.au

/salopianinn

@salopianinn

08 8323 8769

e bookings@salopian.com.au

corner main and

mcmurtrie road

mclaren vale

south australia