December 15, 2014. A gunman took 18 hostages in the heart of Sydney. 17 hours later, the terrorist would be shot dead, 2 innocent hostages would be killed, and ...
Ten years ago, on December 15, 2014, a gunman stormed a Sydney café, taking 18 hostages in a harrowing ordeal that shook the nation. Over the next 17 hours, the siege ended with the terrorist being shot dead, the tragic loss of two innocent lives, and a scar left on Australia's heart. Louisa Hope and her mother entered the Lindt Café that morning, unknowingly walking into a nightmare that would leave them wheeled out on stretchers, forever changed. In this re-released series, explore the chilling events of that day and hear how Louisa has rebuilt her life a decade on. This is Louisa’s story—a compelling firsthand account of courage, survival, and resilience from a day that changed Australia forever: The Sydney Siege. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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6:23
10 Years On: Reflections on the Lindt Cafe Siege
As we mark the 10th anniversary of the tragic Lindt Cafe Siege, we sit down with survivor Louisa Hope for an emotional and insightful conversation about that fateful day in December 2014. A decade later, Louisa reflects on the harrowing events, the lives lost, and the extraordinary resilience that has carried her forward. In this special episode, Louisa shares her journey over the past ten years—from healing and advocacy to building a legacy of hope through her work in the community. We discuss how the siege shaped her perspective, the lessons she has learned about trauma and recovery, and the importance of honouring the past while looking towards the future. If you want to hear a detailed account of how the 17-hour siege unfolded inside the cafe, start with Episode 1: The Red Flags.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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29:59
Befriending a Murderer
Content WarningSome of the content in this podcast may be confronting. Listener discretion is advised. From lunchtime inside the café, hostages were forced to obey the gunman’s bizarre demands—creating YouTube videos, calling him "brother," and acting as his personal PR team. Subscribe to Podshape True Crime for exclusive bonus episodes, early access to select episodes, and ad-free listening. Find out more about Louisa here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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34:44
Sliding Doors
Content Warning:This episode contains audio of individuals who have passed away. Listener discretion is advised. Experience the chilling moment when everyone inside the café realises they are hostages to a terrorist. Louisa shares her "sliding doors" moment, a twist of fate that placed her and her mum in the café that morning. Hear Louisa recount the first three hours inside the Lindt Café from her perspective. Subscribe to Podshape True Crime for exclusive bonus episodes, early access, and an ad-free listening experience. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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1:06:36
Red Flags
From the moment Man Monis arrived in Australia in 1996, there were warning signs everywhere. Under police watch, facing numerous charges, and wanted in his home country, the red flags were impossible to ignore—but they were missed. In this first episode, uncover the chilling details of his history and meet Louisa Hope, a survivor of the Sydney Siege and a testament to resilience. Subscribe to Podshape True Crime for subscriber-only bonus content, early access to episodes, and an ad-free listening experience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
December 15, 2014. A gunman took 18 hostages in the heart of Sydney. 17 hours later, the terrorist would be shot dead, 2 innocent hostages would be killed, and Australia’s iconic city would be stained forever. Louisa Hope and her mum walked into the cafe that morning and left just after 2am the next day, wheeled out on ambulance beds after being shot in the crossfire. This is Louisa's story of the moment that changed Australia forever— The Sydney Siege
Cover image: AAP
New Zealand