Nicola and Di share a back fence – and a microphone
They’ve been likened to ‘Oprah and Gayle,’ and on hearing Palm Beach neighbours and friends Di Edwards and Nicola Dale chat away, it’s easy to see why. These pals of 40 years have an infectious energy, shared with thousands of listeners who follow their Over the Back Fence podcast. It’s a series where Di and Nicola chat to people who have great stories to tell, from celebrities to authors and everything in between.
“We didn’t name ourselves that,” Di, 64, insists of the comparison to American talk show host Oprah and her best friend Gayle King. “That’s not from us! One of our listeners said, ‘you remind me of them!’”
“They are best friends,” Nicola, 60, adds. Just like this pair, who met when their children attended the same preschool.
Seven years ago Di and Nicola became neighbours and their conversations over the back fence turned into a regular occurrence. “They’re real, they’re heartfelt, they’re supportive with whatever’s going on, good, bad, up and down in life,” Nicola says of their chats. “And when we do the podcast we are ourselves. You can’t fake 40 years of friendship!”
The neighbours started the podcast in April last year and have since interviewed more than 60 guests. Nicola says she had the idea while hiking, and instantly thought Di would make the perfect co-host. “I sent Di a message straight away,” Nicola says. “Then, boom! Di sent back an email with this big list of ideas.”
A former television host, Di loved the idea. “I knew that I would go back into the media. I just knew it and I believed it, and then bingo! It just happened to be with my bosom buddy,” she says. Di is also a professionally trained counsellor.
“I flew with the airlines for 30 plus years,” Nicola, a former flight attendant adds. “I’ve always had the joy of mixing with and meeting people. So the art of conversation has always been something I’ve loved.”
Since launching the weekly podcast, they have interviewed many guests, some with Northern Beaches links like comedian Wendy Harmer; mindfulness expert Gary Gorrow and actress Matilda Brown.
One guest, 103-year-old American author, Gladys McGarey, drew 70,000 listeners!
Nicola and Di hope their podcast uplifts, inspires and encourages listeners to make the most out of life. They have been honoured as finalists in the audio category of the Next of the Best Mediaweek Awards.
“Our love is this podcast together, and that’s our passion,” Nicola says.
“Do what you love, love what you do,” Di chimes in unison.
Listen to the Over the Back Fence podcast on your favourite podcast app.