Ho Ho Ho! STAGES has completed yet another season. Season 8! And 600+ episodes. You know what that means … it’s time to haul out the holly and pull those bon-bons.

As is tradition, we conclude season 8 with our annual Christmas episode. The perfect companion as you wrap your presents, put up the tree, peel a prawn and pour another glass of pineapple punch!

Once again I am joined by ‘Mary Christmas’ herself, the inimitable Kate Fitzpatrick who will no doubt provide her take on the cricket and the festive season. Always a treat!

And special guests galore come into the STAGES studio to escape the ‘icy footpath, chestnuts roasting and snow covered stoops’ of our Christmas trained brains.

Publicist Ian Phipps will say hello and advise us what to look out for on national stages in 2026.

Drag Doyen Stan Munro has written his autobiography with companion author William Brougham, and they’ll join us to celebrate ahead of the book’s January release.

The busiest couple in showbiz, Grant Piro and Marina Prior found time in their chockablock schedules to bring some Christmas cheer.

Old mates Hugh Monroe and Donna Lee too, via the magic of Christmas allow us an in depth conversation with Santa and Mrs Claus ahead of their busiest time of the year.

And we wrap it all up with our favourite Christmas anthem, penned by Ron Creager & Tina Messina, and performed by Lauren Schmutter, ‘Christmas Will Find Us Wherever We Are.’

So we hope you can join us and rejoice in the STAGES year that saw season 8. Thank you to all of our listeners, the guests, near and afar, who have shared their stories in this season’s episodes, and the personnel who have coordinated some of those conversations. I can’t wait for season 9 in 2026.

We are all greatly saddened by the passing of the great Toni Lamond in November. As the very first guest on the podcast, we would like to dedicate this episode to her. She leaves a vast legacy. Fly high dear Toni!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

The STAGES podcast will return in March, 2026.

The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).

www.stagespodcast.com.au