The Folded Lie

A new original podcast collaboration between Frances Morgan, Miles Martignoni (Guardian Australia / Heaps Good Media) and Ellen Leabeater (2SER 107.3) launched recently and is taking the podcast world by storm.

The Folded Lie reflects on a killing that happened during one of Australia’s largest industrial conflicts—the Great Strike of 1917. At the height of the conflict, Reginald Wearne, a strikebreaker and brother of a National Party politician, killed striker Mervyn Flanagan.

While the killing acts as a hook, the podcast goes beyond this story and looks into themes such as class, power and truth. There’s evidence to suggest the government toyed with the strings of justice. There were also political imperatives at play as the Strike would’ve punctured the grand Australian wartime mythology of pride and patriotism — showing that there was conflict on the home front — which only added to more reason for the government/media to bury the story of Flanagan’s death in the news cycle.

Through interviews with descendants on both sides, and drawing on 10 years of research, The Folded Lie seeks to uncover the truth of what happened 100 years ago.

“With the proliferation of fake news, this story is as relevant today as it was 100 years ago. It serves as a reminder of what happens when we don’t challenge the status quo and stand up for those who are disempowered.” explained Frances Morgan.

Throughout the series, the power play in history and memory, and the truth that stands between them, comes to life.

The Folded Lie is now available on Apple Podcasts, Whooshkaa and all other podcasting apps. You can listen online at 2ser.com.