Our brand new series, I Was Actually There, premieres on ABC TV July 4.

 

Watch all episodes here on ABC iview from July 4. Accompanying podcast here.

 

What is it? I Was Actually There is a six-part documentary series and podcast, and the first out of my production company, Docker Media.

 

The series explores defining moments of our recent history through the eyes, ears and voices of those who witnessed them firsthand.

 

What interested us, is that our history is often reduced to bite-sized bits and facts. But it’s almost impossible to put yourself into these moments by reading a Wikipedia entry. When you hear the intimate details from regular people of what it was like to be inside these events, you realise history is so personal. And so individual. You and I could be standing next to each other in the midst of the same moment and yet the impact on each of us could be worlds apart.

Kirk Docker is one of Australia’s finest interviewers and storytellers. He is the co-creator and director of the ABC program You Can’t Ask That, now in its 7th season. The show has been awarded Rose d’Or, AACTA and Walkley awards and is the most successful format in ABC history, selling to 32 territories, and broadcast in 9 different languages world wide. When it comes to the content he creates, no subject is off-topic. Kirk’s interviewees range from ex-politicians to ice users to sexual assault survivors. He has a deep curiosity, compassion and playfulness that elicits honesty from his participants, many of whom have never sat in front of a camera before. Through thousands of hours of open dialogue, what’s become absolutely clear to Kirk is that every human, no matter what they believe or how high their stature, share a core value: the desire to be understood. 

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I write about what I’ve learnt interviewing 1000s of people over the last 20 years.  Sign up here to receive my newsletter Questionable Advice!

NEWS

24.6.24
I WAS ACTUALLY THERE PODCAST TRAILER —  I’m also thrilled to share the trailer for our accompanying podcast.  Made with the very talented ABC podcast team.  Each episode is a deep dive into one of our exceptional interviewees.  Listen here.
 
9.6.24
I WAS ACTUALLY THERE TRAILER GOES LIVE — I’m thrilled to share the trailer for our new series. Watch it here.  The series premieres July 9 on ABC TV, all episodes available July 9 on ABC iview.
 
7.6.24
I WAS ACTUALLY THERE, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE — Essentially all the details, including which events we’re covering over the 6-episode run.  Click here to read it.
 
26.5.24
SECOND NATURE x MITCH DOCKER — I turn the mic on former pro cyclist, adventurer, podcaster and my little bro, to dissect the pleasures of pain.  In a very special Second Nature event.  Come down to Bridge Road Brewers in Brunswick and enjoy one of Mitch’s own Life In The Peloton frosties! Tix here.  Follow Second Nature here.
 
22.12.23
58 INTERVIEWS DOWN — Over the last 6 weeks I have spoken to some incredible people who have told me about life-defining moments and the wisdom they’ve learnt from them.  Some of the well-known names include Nicky Winmar, Todd Russell and Brant Webb, 97 yo Bob Rogers, and Bob Katter!  But what we do best is find those that you’ve never heard from.  In this series I Was Actually There, it doesn’t matter who you are—a main player or one on the periphery—if you witnessed it live, we are interested in your take. 

YOU CAN'T ASK THAT

For 7 years I made a show for the ABC called You Can’t Ask That. There are 65 episodes over 7 seasons of the show.  It is the most successful format in ABC history, with 35 seasons around the world in 9 languages.

 

For those that don’t know the show I’d describe it as an interview show, where each episode we focus on a misunderstood or marginalised group of Australians – it could be Muslims or people living with Schizophrenia or Bogans.  All our participants live with a label.  What we’re trying to do is go past this label and understand who they truly are.  We do that by asking the questions you shouldn’t ask. Maybe you’d like to, but the questions are too rude or too insensitive or maybe you don’t have access to that person to ask it.  Each person then gets to answer these questions however they like.  The show only features people with first hand experience, so no experts or family speaking on anyone else’s behalf.  Just a group of people with a label, talking about what it’s like to be them.

 

WATCH IT HERE.

Our brand new series, I Was Actually There, premieres on ABC TV July 4.

 

Watch all episodes here on ABC iview from July 4. Accompanying podcast here.

 

What is it? I Was Actually There is a six-part documentary series and podcast, and the first out of my production company, Docker Media.

 

The series explores defining moments of our recent history through the eyes, ears and voices of those who witnessed them firsthand.

 

What interested us, is that our history is often reduced to bite-sized bits and facts. But it’s almost impossible to put yourself into these moments by reading a Wikipedia entry. When you hear the intimate details from regular people of what it was like to be inside these events, you realise history is so personal. And so individual. You and I could be standing next to each other in the midst of the same moment and yet the impact on each of us could be worlds apart.

Kirk Docker is one of Australia’s finest interviewers and storytellers. He is the co-creator and director of the ABC program You Can’t Ask That, now in its 7th season. The show has been awarded Rose d’Or, AACTA and Walkley awards and is the most successful format in ABC history, selling to 32 territories, and broadcast in 9 different languages world wide. When it comes to the content he creates, no subject is off-topic. Kirk’s interviewees range from ex-politicians to ice users to sexual assault survivors. He has a deep curiosity, compassion and playfulness that elicits honesty from his participants, many of whom have never sat in front of a camera before. Through thousands of hours of open dialogue, what’s become absolutely clear to Kirk is that every human, no matter what they believe or how high their stature, share a core value: the desire to be understood. 

SUBSCRIBE

I write about what I’ve learnt interviewing 1000s of people over the last 20 years.  Sign up here to receive my newsletter Questionable Advice!

NEWS

24.6.24
I WAS ACTUALLY THERE PODCAST TRAILER —  I’m also thrilled to share the trailer for our accompanying podcast.  Made with the very talented ABC podcast team.  Each episode is a deep dive into one of our exceptional interviewees.  Listen here.
 
9.6.24
I WAS ACTUALLY THERE TRAILER GOES LIVE — I’m thrilled to share the trailer for our new series. Watch it here.  The series premieres July 9 on ABC TV, all episodes available July 9 on ABC iview.
 
7.6.24
I WAS ACTUALLY THERE, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE — Essentially all the details, including which events we’re covering over the 6-episode run.  Click here to read it.
 
26.5.24
SECOND NATURE x MITCH DOCKER — I turn the mic on former pro cyclist, adventurer, podcaster and my little bro, to dissect the pleasures of pain.  In a very special Second Nature event.  Come down to Bridge Road Brewers in Brunswick and enjoy one of Mitch’s own Life In The Peloton frosties! Tix here.  Follow Second Nature here.
 
22.12.23
58 INTERVIEWS DOWN — Over the last 6 weeks I have spoken to some incredible people who have told me about life-defining moments and the wisdom they’ve learnt from them.  Some of the well-known names include Nicky Winmar, Todd Russell and Brant Webb, 97 yo Bob Rogers, and Bob Katter!  But what we do best is find those that you’ve never heard from.  In this series I Was Actually There, it doesn’t matter who you are—a main player or one on the periphery—if you witnessed it live, we are interested in your take. 
 

yOU CAN'T ASK THAT

For the last 7 years I’ve been making a show for ABC called You Can’t Ask That. There are 65 episodes over 7 seasons of the show.  It is the most successful format in ABC history, with 35 seasons around the world in 9 languages.

 

For those that don’t know the show I’d describe it as an interview show, where each episode we focus on a misunderstood or marginalised group of Australians – it could be Muslims or people living with Schizophrenia or Bogans.  All our participants live with a label.  What’re we’re trying to do is go past this label and understand who they truly are.  We do that by asking the questions you shouldn’t ask. Maybe you’d like to, but the questions are too rude or too insensitive or maybe you don’t have access to that person to ask it.  Each person then gets to answer these questions however they like.  The show only features people with first hand experience, so no experts or family speaking on anyone else’s behalf.  Just a group of people with a label, talking about what it’s like to be them.

 

Watch it here.

SPEAKING AND WORKSHOPS

In my interactive keynotes and workshops I unpack the processes and techniques of the interview to help my audience communicate more productively in the workplace and everyday life. My sessions will challenge you to consider the purpose of your dialogue and instil the ability to ask high-level questions that lead to revelations and new understandings. At the heart of my sessions is the ability to walk away with a repeatable tool and process – a system for deconstructing the barriers for effective dialogue.

 

More information here.


Contact me for speaking or workshop bookings  –[email protected]

SPEAKING AND WORKSHOPS

In my interactive keynotes and workshops I unpack the processes and techniques of the interview to help my audience communicate more productively in the workplace and everyday life. My sessions will challenge you consider the purpose of your dialogue and instil the ability to ask high-level questions that lead to revelations and new understandings. At the heart of my sessions is the ability to walk away with a repeatable tool and process – a system for deconstructing the barriers for effective dialogue.

 

More information here.


Contact me for speaking or workshop bookings  – [email protected]


 

In my interactive keynotes and workshops I unpack the processes and techniques of the interview to help my audience communicate more productively in the workplace and everyday life. My sessions will challenge you to consider the purpose of your dialogue and instil the ability to ask high-level questions that lead to revelations and new understandings. At the heart of my sessions is the ability to walk away with a repeatable tool and process – a system for deconstructing the barriers for effective dialogue.

 

MORE INFORMATION HERE.

 

Contact me for speaking or workshop bookings  – [email protected]

PRESS

Kirk Docker wins Best Director for non-fiction TV at the AACTAs 2022.

Podcast: Getting a grilling on Mark Bouris’ show, ‘Straight Talk

ABC Backstory: “Kirk Docker on what happens behind the scenes & the most brutal questions he’s had to ask.” Read Here.

Sydney Morning Herald: “You Can’t Ask That’s domestic violence episode is the kind of reality TV we need.” Read Here.

OTHER SHOWS

VIVE COOL CITY

HUNGRY BEAST, ABC

HELLO STRANGER, ABC

DEMOLITION MAN, A&E