A unique new podcast featuring real apologies from real people has launched, providing listeners with a unique insight into what people across the globe are feeling sorry about including:
· a Rwandan man apologises to his neighbour who he chose not to rescue during the Hutu-Tutsi massacre of 1994;
· a six year old from Hong Kong apologises to her sister’s doll for an unauthorized haircut;
· a Malaysian woman apologises for running over her support dog;
· an Indian woman apologises to her pile of unread books;
· a Chinese woman apologises to her niece, who she wanted aborted.
The 10 episodes were produced in Melbourne and California and feature apologies from: Palestine, Nigeria, Canada, New Zealand, Poland, Kenya, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, USA, the Philippines, China, India, Rwanda and Australia.
Season two is already in pre-production.
Episodes are short and based around themes including: parents, kids, objects, animals, places and thyself. Far from depressing some apologies – to reading glasses, unread books, pets, stolen yogurt and dead mosquitoes – are sincere but lighthearted.
It’s intimate listening. “It’s amazing what people will tell me, a stranger, in the hope that it reaches more strangers,” says creator and host Brett de Hoedt.
Apologies are in vogue with politicians, YouTubers, dotcom CEOs. As a public speaking trainer de Hoedt is regularly asked to guide leaders in the art of the apology. “It made me realise that the apology is becoming a skill, not a genuine response to doing the wrong thing.”
The independent production features original music from California-based musician and producer Brian Wallace and can be downloaded on iTunes, Spotify and other podcast platforms. Visit and listen: https://www.thehardestwordpodcast.com/episodes
Interviews: Brett is available to explore the nuances of apologies and tour you through some of his favourite apologies from series one.
