Joel Carnegie tells stories — with meaning, with music, with heart.

His work is about creating moments that connect us: to ourselves, to each other, to the present, to something bigger. He’s drawn to the emotional undercurrent. The hum beneath the noise. The kind of storytelling that leaves a mark — not just in the mind, but in the body.

Joel is the host of the nightly national Evenings show (Mon–Fri, 7pm–11pm) on ABC Classic, presenting a blend of live music, laughs, and stories each weeknight. He also pops up regularly on ABC Local Radio across Australia.

As a presenter and creator, his story work has reached millions of people worldwide on Audible, the ABC, American Public Media, BBC World Service, CBC (Canada), Deutsche Welle (Germany), and RFI (France). His work has won awards at the New York Festivals International Radio Awards and The Whickers, and he has served on juries for the Signal Awards (USA), Prix Europa, New York Festivals, the Australian Podcast Awards, and the ARIA Music Awards.

As Founder and Head of Storytelling at The Space Company (2015–2024), he led the creation of original podcast, screen, and live-on-stage productions. Highlights include the gripping rescue drama Hells Gates (2023), which he created and led, and the award-winning, nationally touring double bill Stardust + The Mission, which he performed in, musically directed, and steered across 45 cities with over 60 project partners.

Joel is a professionally trained multi-instrumentalist and music director (conductor), with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) from the University of Melbourne, a Graduate Certificate in Business (Arts and Cultural Management) from Deakin University, and a Master of Arts (Media and Communications) from Swinburne University of Technology.

He’s open to collaboration, commission, and opportunities as a story-first presenter/interviewer, narrative architect, or musical director.

He’s regularly invited to host, MC, facilitate conversations, and speak at events exploring the intersections of culture, storytelling, music, community, innovation, and leadership.

Reach out for his availability here.