The Hardest Word

Brett De Hoedt

Real apologies from real people around the globe. Each short episode showcases an apology ranging from hilarious to heartbreaking. Hosted by the show's creator Brett de Hoedt. The show is intimate - total strangers reveal themselves - and genuinely most diverse. Apologies come from China, Palestine, Australia, Bangladesh, Macedonia, New Zealand, Kenya, the Philippines, India and more. Original score by Brian Wallace. read less
Society & CultureSociety & Culture
Play Trailer
THW - The Trailer
Sep 23 2020
THW - The Trailer
Is The Hardest Word for you? Find out with this selection of five apologies from across the globe. Some are whole, others abbreviated. They show how powerful an apology can be. One condition: if you like it then SUBSCRIBE. There are two million podcasts but none like this. This 100% independent and advertising-free podcast is created by host Brett de Hoedt with audio director Brian Wallace. It’s one of the most global and intimate podcasts produced today. It's heard on Podcast Radio London and Fire radio in Switzerland. Coming soon: apologies from Iran and the US prison system. Video episodes at:  www.thehardestwordpodcast.com

Episodes

Ukraine Apology #13: The Complete Compilation
Jul 23 2022
Ukraine Apology #13: The Complete Compilation
We've collected our complete Ukraine series in the one place. Enjoy. Visit our website for the videos. Audio Director: Brian Wallace, USA. Video Director: Svitlana Selivanova, Ukraine. Creator & Host: Brett de Hoedt, Australia. This 100% independent and advertising free podcast needs your support. Subscribe, review and recommend. https://www.thehardestwordpodcast.com/
Ukraine Apology #12: The World Apologizes
Jul 12 2022
Ukraine Apology #12: The World Apologizes
Our final Ukraine series features new apologies from a range places and perspectives. Visit our website for the videos. Audio Director: Brian Wallace, USA. Video Director: Svitlana Selivanova, Ukraine. Creator & Host: Brett de Hoedt, Australia. This 100% independent and advertising free podcast needs your support. Subscribe, review and recommend. https://www.thehardestwordpodcast.com/
Ukraine Apology #11: Soldier and the Soldier's Wife
May 22 2022
Ukraine Apology #11: Soldier and the Soldier's Wife
Some fight, some stay behind, both apologize. Note: the soldier and wife in this episode are not married to each other. They do however represent what millions of Ukrainians are currently going through.  Visit our website for the videos. Audio Director: Brian Wallace, USA. Video Director: Svitlana Selivanova, Ukraine. Creator & Host: Brett de Hoedt, Australia. This 100% independent and advertising free podcast needs your support. Subscribe, review and recommend. https://www.thehardestwordpodcast.com/
Mothers Day 2022 Special #4: Mom to Daughter
May 8 2022
Mothers Day 2022 Special #4: Mom to Daughter
Another episode from our archives in honour of Mother's Day
Mothers' Day 2022 Special #3: Step Mom to Her Step Child
May 8 2022
Mothers' Day 2022 Special #3: Step Mom to Her Step Child
The third in our MD special.
Mothers' Day 2022 Special #2: The Filipino Son
May 8 2022
Mothers' Day 2022 Special #2: The Filipino Son
Part two comes from the Phillipines.
Mother's Day 2022 Special: Mom's Favorite
May 8 2022
Mother's Day 2022 Special: Mom's Favorite
For other's Day 2022 we're re-releasing this (somewhat controversial) apology. More importantly: happy Mother's Day to all the Moms and Mums out there.
Ukraine Apology #10: From Russia With...Love?
May 2 2022
Ukraine Apology #10: From Russia With...Love?
Not every Russian is pro-Putin. Some think for themselves and have a soul.  Visit our website for the video. Audio Director: Brian Wallace, USA. Video Director: Svitlana Selivanova, Ukraine. Creator & Host: Brett de Hoedt, Australia. This 100% independent and advertising free podcast needs your support. Subscribe, review and recommend. https://www.thehardestwordpodcast.com/
Ukraine Apology #9: To My Cat + Bonus Apology
Apr 28 2022
Ukraine Apology #9: To My Cat + Bonus Apology
Animals are suffering along with their Ukrainian owners. NOTE: the video for this story is updated with a HAPPY ENDING. This episode features a BONUS apology from the archives: Gaza Kitty. Audio Director: Brian Wallace, USA. Video Director: Svitlana Selivanova, Ukraine. Creator & Host: Brett de Hoedt, Australia. This 100% independent and advertising free podcast needs your help. Subscribe, review and recommend. https://www.thehardestwordpodcast.com/
Ukraine Apology #8: Guilt In A Safe Haven
Apr 24 2022
Ukraine Apology #8: Guilt In A Safe Haven
Even safety feels bad in a war. Watch the videos our Ukraine-based Video Director Svitlana Selivanova is making for this series. Audio Director: Brian Wallace. Creator & Host: Brett de Hoedt Now please - tell someone about this 100% independent and advertising free podcast immediately!
Ukraine Apology #7: Sorry Baba
Apr 20 2022
Ukraine Apology #7: Sorry Baba
A brat makes an apology. (Note - some swearing involved.) Audio Director: Brian Wallace. Creator & Host: Brett de Hoedt Now please - tell someone about this podcast!  Slava Ukraini!
Ukraine Apology #6: Non-Combatant Male With Regrets
Apr 13 2022
Ukraine Apology #6: Non-Combatant Male With Regrets
Not everybody wants to fight. Watch the video our Ukraine-based Video Director Svitlana Selivanova made for this episode. Audio Director: Brian Wallace. Creator & Host: Brett de Hoedt Now please - tell someone about this podcast!
Ukraine Apology #5: Olexandra Who Left
Apr 6 2022
Ukraine Apology #5: Olexandra Who Left
Unlike our first Ukraine apology from Maryana, Olexandra decided to leave the war behind. Here, she apologizes. Listen to them both. Audio Director: Brian Wallace Creator & Host: Brett de Hoedt Check out our new, improved videos by Ukraine-based Video Director: Svitlana Selivanova.
Ukraine Apology #4: Mother to Son
Apr 1 2022
Ukraine Apology #4: Mother to Son
There is a haunting video to accompany this episode made by Ukrainian editor & cinematographer Svitlana Selivanova. Watch it - she made it in a war zone. This episode is audio directed by Brian Wallace of California. Host and creator Brett de Hoedt lives in Melbourne.
Ukraine Apology #3: Fraternal Nations Myth Busted
Mar 28 2022
Ukraine Apology #3: Fraternal Nations Myth Busted
The third in our series of apologies inspired by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  This comes from a young man in Ukraine who once felt the pull of Russian "fraternal nations" propaganda. Brett also ventures into Reddit to ask Russians if they feel if they owe anybody an apology for the war.  There are more Ukraine Apologies to come and they will break your heart.  The Hardest Word showcases real apologies from real people. This 100% ad-free and independent podcast is brought to you by: Creator & Host: Brett de Hoedt Audio Director: Brian Wallace. More at our website.
Ukraine Apology #2: Belarusian Who Failed To Protest
Mar 18 2022
Ukraine Apology #2: Belarusian Who Failed To Protest
This is the second in our series of apologies inspired by and in response to the criminal Russian invasion of Ukraine.  It comes from a young man in Belarus. There are more to come.  The Hardest Word showcases real apologies from real people. This 100% ad-free and independent podcast is brought to you by: Creator & Host: Brett de Hoedt Audio Director: Brian Wallace. More at our website.
Ukraine Apology #1 Maryana Who Stayed
Mar 14 2022
Ukraine Apology #1 Maryana Who Stayed
This is the first in a series inspired by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Watch the moving video we have created for this episode. Maryana talks to us from Kharkiv - now a war zone. Her life has changed forever. We have apologies from Ukraine, Poland, Belarus and yes, Russia. They reveal personal and thepolitical aspects of this atrocity. The Hardest Word always airs real people making real apologies.  Creator and host: Brett de Hoedt Audio director: Brian Wallace Website.
International Women's Day Re-Release
Mar 7 2022
International Women's Day Re-Release
BONUS EPISODE: To mark IWD 2022 we have rereleased this collection of female apologies. They come from the types of people and places we rarely hear from - even within the feminist / woke / pro-diversity world. Not only that - they are uninterrupted and entirely free of corporate, celebrity or government pinkwashing. If you can't tell, we're pretty proud of them.
Abandoned! Arts Suppies & Good Intentions + Bonus Apology
Mar 5 2022
Abandoned! Arts Suppies & Good Intentions + Bonus Apology
Have you ever taken up a hobby, enjoyed it, then abandoned it?  We travel to Atlanta, Georgia to listen to new Mum Shaniqua's apology to a collection of inanimate objects. Objects that seem to hold a strange amount of power over her. Plus a bonus apology on a similar theme from India. Creator and host: Brett de Hoedt Audio director: Brian Wallace Intern: Natalie Haddad www.thehardestwordpodcast.com
Professor of Bullying Apologizes
Feb 26 2022
Professor of Bullying Apologizes
A university lecturer in Ireland has seen the error of his ways. Note: We are now twice as sorry.  This episode has a bonus apology from the archives - another bully apologizes. We'll be doing this more often than not as a way to explore a theme and bring old apologies to new listeners. We are 100% independent and ad-free. Visit our website. Creator & Host: Brett de Hoedt Audio Director: Brian Wallace Intern: Natalie Haddad