Better Than Yesterday with Osher Günsberg

Checking in, May 24, 2019 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julian Mitchell is the co-founder of the Mushroom cultivation company Life Cykel find about more about him and the work he’s doing at LifeCykel.comHe’s an interesting guy - he used to work in the mining industry and had a moment where he chose to do something different. Something very different. Something that would put people more in touch with the food they ate, and something which would allow recycling of food and waste products in a sustainable way. Life Cykel have made some heavy hitting friends, and in a few days they’re partnering with Virgin Airlines on World Environment Day to divert the coffee waste from their lounges away from landfill, to use them instead to grow mushrooms which will one day return to the menu at the Virgin Lounge. This conversation is a little different from a regular podcast I do. It sounds like you think it will, two guys nerding out about mushrooms. Hopefully it gets you thinking more about where your waste goes, where you get your food from , and how you might reduce one and increase the other. Enjoy this conversation with Julian Mitchell.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Checking in, May 17, 2019James Mathison. My former Channel [v] and Australian Idol team mate. Former campaigner for the federal electorate of Waringah up against Tony Abbot.Host of the TV show Thrones 360, the wrap up show that airs after Game Of Thrones on Foxtel - the last ever episode which comes out this Monday. It’s an election tomorrow in Australia. Let’s talk democracy, and what is working - what isn’t working and what else we might do about fairly governing millions of people. Come to my kitchen table to chat with my dear friend, and a man that will change the world, James Mathison.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Briggs is an Indigenous Australian rapper, actor, comedian, and record label owner from Shepparton, Victoria. From his breakout album in 2009, Briggs has gone on to dominate the hip hop scene here and abroad. He’s released four solo albums, as well as the landmark “Reclaim Australia” with AB Original - an album that spoke volumes to the conversation about race relations in our country. A.B. Original were recently crowned APRA’s 2018 Songwriters of the Year and in 2017 won the ARIAs for Best Independent Release and Best Urban Album and Triple J’s J Award for Album of the Year for their album Reclaim Australia.He’s an actor - featuring in Cleverman, Black Comedy and The Weekly - and also a highly regarded comedy writer, most notably working with Matt Groening on his series Disenchantment. Briggs' new single is called “Life Is Incredible” a shot to the gut aimed at life expectancy of Indigenous Australians compared to the rest of the population. Like all great artists - he performs to the top of his intelligence at all times. And as Briggs is a very, very smart man - that makes him a force of nature. Briggs is also a legit coffee nerd, so there’s a fair chunk of solid coffee talk at the top that will impress anyone who weighs their beans. @briggs on twitter and @senatorbriggs on IG to let him know you heard him here. Enjoy this conversation with Briggs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Checking in, May 10, 2019 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathan Haidt is a Social psychologist at NYU-Stern. He’s the author of The Righteous Mind, and his latest book The Coddling of The American Mind. We are a few weeks out from an election here in Australia so I couldn’t think of a better time to get someone on the show to help us explore how our thinking is being swayed from outside influences, why we are getting just so super-sensitive to things we never used to be sensitive about, and indeed what we stand to lose by protecting ourselves from and avoiding things that make us uncomfortable. We talk about what’s wrong with trigger warnings, and how we as a society have been slowly getting more and more polarised. I hope this conversation helps you in your decision this election - helps you make a choice that isn’t influenced by things you’ve read on Facebook that are written to fire you up but don’t really reflect reality or indeed the nuance of the argument. I hope this conversation encourages you to explore just that - the nuance of the issue at hand, not the knee-jerk emotional response that we seem to have been drawn into more and more in this FB like-button world of calling out perpetrators to our team and finding offence to something as small as a lower-case proper noun (which I have been called out for). Jonathan is just fascinating and I highly recommend you track down his books which you can find out more about at righteousmind.com and thecoddling.comIf you like what you hear - let him know on twitter @jonhaidt he’s touring Australia in July you can get tickets to his talks at thinkinc.org and please enjoy this conversation with Jonathan Haidt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Checking in, May 3, 2019. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Jo Thornely - on twitter @JoThornely. Jo is an author, podcaster and music aficionado from Sydney Australia. A rabid live-tweeter of The Bachelor in all its forms, Jo is also utterly fascinated by Cults. Her Book and podcast of the same name “Zealot” is an incredibly interesting exploration into what makes people believe things that really, really aren’t real - and believe them so much that they will do, and have done, many many really awful things. It’s absolutely fascinating and I can’t wait for you to hear it. It’s particularly interesting when looked at through the lens of what makes people believe in things that really aren’t real - like Climate Change deniers and the anti-vac movement - the parallels are strong and I’d encourage you to consider how she describes the way people get trapped in that kind of thinking. Jo’s book Zealot is out wherever you get books. It’s grim, it is real, and it is darkly, darkly funny. Enjoy this conversation with Jo Thornely. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Checking in, April 26 2019. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today needs very little introduction. Ian Dickson. Dicko as you’d know him, was a brilliantly powerful record company executive that worked hand in glove with Simon Cowell as they created and broke Westlife across the planet. He came out to Australia to work with BMG records and a few years later came to public prominence as the ‘nasty’ judge on Australian Idol. A massive media career followed, TV shows, radio shows, you name it, he did it. But as you’ll hear in our chat - the Dicko as we knew him no longer exists. He’s a different man. A man who’s left behind what he once was and once wanted, and is now rediscovering his passion for music from an entirely different place. He’s putting on a massive festival which we go into great detail about - the gig is happening August 10th on the Gold Coast - get your tickets at https://www.almostthegreatestgigonearth.comYou thought you knew Dicko. You thought you knew what drove him. Prepare to know something new. Enjoy this conversation with Ian Dicko Dickson.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Checking in, April 19 2019. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Mahmood Fazal. He’s a journalist for Vice, and hosts the compelling podcast “Violent Times”, a show that explores the role of violence in our modern society. From speaking to graffiti artists who were involved in brutal street violence in Melbourne in the 80s and 90s, to connecting with Australia’s Deadliest Soldier, to spending an afternoon with the Yakuza in Japan - Mahmood gets face to face with the people who have not only committed violence on others, but have been victims of violence themselves.  Mahmood’s story is a heavy one. The son of Afghani immigrants, Mahmood was just a kid at school with a different name and probably a stranger lunch than the other kids. Then 9/11 happened. Then things changed for the young man.I’ll let Mahmood tell it - however his own path into violence, living with the consequences of violence and indeed his redemption from violence, is a riveting and compelling story. Just off the top here. This is a conversation about violence. We needed to describe violent acts in order to put things into context. Some of the descriptions are quite graphic. If that sort of thing isn’t for you - all good, I’ll see you next episode. With that being said - I hope you get a lot out of this conversation with Mahmood Fazal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Todd Liubinskas is Strength and Conditioning Coach, Entrepreneur, and the new Fitness Director at Men’s Health. He’s also the founder of “Let’s Get Going” a non-profit mentor and experience program. They aspire to promote the health and well being of adults from the age of 18 years old with an intellectual or physical challenge. One of their goals is to provide a fitness program that will be fun, safe and enhance social relationships; as well as establishing a pattern of physical activity to promote wellness throughout adult life.Todd is also involved in a rapidly exploding grass-roots fitness community called The 440 - which takes place just down the road here in Bronte where we live. Despite his boulder shoulders and abs that look like a plate of smooth river rocks perfectly arranged in a fancy design magazine, one of Todd’s big focus points is on how he can share the benefits of moving your body with those who might not move their body much, if at all.He works with many people to help inspire them to get moving, to get access to that physical and mental benefit of moving. On the back of my chat with Tanya Hennessy last week - if you’re looking to get moving, even just a little bit - Todd’s got some words for you. You can find him on IG @toddybinskas, #the440 online with his work at Men’s Health. Enjoy this conversation with Todd Liubinskas.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tanya Hennessy is a comedian, author, broadcaster and YouTube superstar. She’s currently on the radio every weekend right around the country, on the internet being very, very funny - and about to be on Bachelor in Paradise UNPACKED where she and her colleagues watch every episode of The Bachelor in Paradise and react to it - like a mini version of Goggle Box. It’s extraordinarily funny. That’s mainly because she is extraordinarily funny too. Tanya has an incredible story to tell, and as a woman in Australian broadcasting has some excellent lessons about success when you’re up against it. A note here at the top of the show. Tanya wrote quite extensively in her book “Am I Doing This Right?” about body image. She wrote a whole chapter on it. During this conversation she brings it up, and we begin to talk about it. I called her the other day to double and triple check to make sure that what we talked about was ok to go up on the podcast, and she assured me that it was. I am no stranger to body image issues - having been 112kg at one point, fat shamed by paparazzi and bullied in the press, I am well aware of what it is to be bigger in the public eye. My own story involves compulsive eating, portion control, and binge eating. So where I was coming from was a place of someone who works every day to keep on top of those compulsive behaviours, someone who tries to do the work every day around making sure what I eat is the right thing and the right amount, and someone who tries to train every day so that I am healthy and feel good in my own body.That’s where I was standing when she and I dove into that often taboo discussion. It might be confronting to hear, and you might get an itchy outrage trigger finger - but I’d ask you to listen with an open ear and open heart to what the two of us were discussing and the reality of the business we both work in, and indeed the realities of health outcomes when you’re heavier. I can now officially say I’m a man that’s nearly 50. If I don’t stay fit and watch what I eat it’s a slippery slope to blood pressure pills, type 2 diabetes, erectile dysfunction and a stent in my arteries. So that’s where we both were really when we talked about what we talked about. I hope you can listen in the spirit of which it was conversed - that of two colleagues discussing the reality of where we work, the nature of our business and the plain facts about health. Tanya is snort-laugh funny, so I’d caution against drinking or eating when listening to this episode. If you want to let Tanya know you heard her here on the show - she’s online, mostly FB and Youtube - just search Tanya Hennessy. Her book is out wherever books are out and Bachelor in Paradise unpacked goes live right after our first episode on April 9th. So you ready? Get set for a fabulous sit down chat with Tanya Hennessy.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Christina Hoff Sommers - former Philosophy professor at Clark University in the US and currently a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. Find her on twitter @CHSommersHer work mainly focuses on gender politics, feminism and free speech in universities.She’s out in Australia for the #feminist events with Roxanne Gay - Sydney Friday 29th and Melbourne Sunday 31st. Now I know she’s a divisive figure, and I personally don’t agree with some of the things that she said in our conversation, but I get where she’s coming from and why she’s coming at those topics from those angles. I felt it was important to have a conversation with someone that I might disagree with on some part of their message - but at the same time find places that we may connect. You’ll hear a few times that we do indeed find some resonance, but the larger focus on the conversation for me was figuring out what it is to be her. To be someone who’s shouted down in universities, to be excommunicated from an academic faculty that she’d been a part of for so long for questioning a status quo. Even though Christina does question the value of trigger warnings in this conversation - I’ll tell you right now, one of her big topics that she covers is sexual assault on campuses - so if that’s an issue for you, perhaps you’ll want to check back in for the next episode come Monday. If you want to reach out to her she’s very active on twitter: @CHSommersThat being said, come with me to Erskineville in inner-western Sydney and sit down for a conversation with Christina Hoff Sommers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Ian Chung has been practising for nearly fifty years in Sydney, Australia. We’ll get into his story shortly - however, he made a name for himself as "Dr Rock”, the doctor to call when you have a major international performer that can’t make the show and there are 20,000 people who have bought tickets and are on the way to the gig as you speak. That’s when you called Dr Chung. If you’ve read my book, you’ll know how I came to meet him - but I can’t tell you how glad I am that I did. Not only was he and the first doctor to diagnose me with social phobia (which was the first time everything started to make sense) but he was the first doctor that I saw about my head that taught me real skills to deal with what was happening rather than just talk about it. I’ll never forget when Dr Chung got angry at me when I told him I’d rather have a few beers to calm down my anxiety than take antidepressants, and it was his anger and frustration that shook me out of my stubbornness and lead me to take those meds - which not only gave me incredible relief but made me lament refusing them when I was first offered them nearly ten years beforehand. A quick note - just because Ian helped me, doesn’t mean he’s the only person who can help. I’ve had many doctors since Ian and they’ve all helped me get where I am and stay where I am today - he’s just the one who set the standard to which I held all other doctors accountable to. There are many, many excellent doctors who can help you if you need help. It’s important to allow time to find them. You might not click straight away, it might not work for you, that’s ok - they’ll work for someone else and that’s fine. It’s important to keep trying, keep trying to find the doctor that you click with, one you can trust, one that makes you want to do what they tell you to do. Because if you’re at the point where you're seeing a Dr, you’re at the point where your ideas have run out of usefulness. So be quiet, listen to what they tell you to do, and do it. And it was in doing what I was told by Doctors that helped me get to a place where I’m a lot healthier than where I once was.It’s not hyperbole to say that Dr Chung changed my life - and I am so very grateful that you now get the chance to hear the story of this incredible man. Ladies and Gentlemen, Dr Ian Chung.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Josh Szeps is a Tv presenter and radio broadcaster now based in Sydney Australia. He’s currently working on the ABC presenting the Weekend Breakfast on ABC News. Josh and I have worked together a few times in our careers - however, he went on to become far more successful than I with his award-winning satirical radio work, his work as a founding host of Huff Post Live, and his podcast We The People Live. Josh has a show coming up at the Melbourne International Comedy festival #youtoo, tickets are available at ComedyFestival.com.auIf you like the show, please let him know - he’s on twitter @joshzepps, and without further ado, here’s Josh Szepps Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Graeme Simsion is an Australian author, screenwriter, playwright and data modeller. Yes, we get nerdy and talk about Data Modelling in this chat. Graeme changed careers relatively late in life to become an author, and achieved astonishing success with his books centred around the character Don Tillman - the Rosie Trilogy, The Rosie Project, The Rosie Effect, and now most recently The Rosie Result. Graeme kindly and gently introduced the world to Don Tillman a few years ago now, a man who has a different way of going about life - it’s never really mentioned explicitly early on in the books, but Don is a genetics professor with high functioning Asperger’s Syndrome. You’ll find out in this chat why it was so important to Graeme to write about Don this way and indeed why it’s important to celebrate neurodiversity - the idea that neurological differences like autism and ADHD are the result of normal, natural variation in the human genome.  I’ll let the conversation explain the rest. If you like what you hear, Graeme is on twitter @graemesimsion  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Graeme Simsion is an Australian author, screenwriter, playwright and data modeller. Yes, we get nerdy and talk about Data Modelling in this chat. Graeme changed careers relatively late in life to become an author, and achieved astonishing success with his books centred around the character Don Tillman - the Rosie Trilogy, The Rosie Project, The Rosie Effect, and now most recently The Rosie Result. Graeme kindly and gently introduced the world to Don Tillman a few years ago now, a man who has a different way of going about life - it’s never really mentioned explicitly early on in the books, but Don is a genetics professor with high functioning Asperger’s Syndrome. You’ll find out in this chat why it was so important to Graeme to write about Don this way and indeed why it’s important to celebrate neurodiversity - the idea that neurological differences like autism and ADHD are the result of normal, natural variation in the human genome.  I’ll let the conversation explain the rest. If you like what you hear, Graeme is on twitter @graemesimsion  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Williams is an author, speaker, and activist. A proud Wiradjuri, 1st Nations Aboriginal man born in Cowra NSW, raised in Wagga NSW. Joe’s a former elite athlete - having played Rugby League at the highest levels in this country before switching to boxing and becoming the 2x WBF World Jnr Welterweight Champion. Joe now dedicates his time to traveling the country giving talks and running workshops on Suicide Prevention and Wellbeing Education. I obviously knew about Joe before I met him, but we got a chance to meet for real at the Brisbane Writer’s Festival where he and Audrey and I shared a wonderful meal at the Greenhouse Canteen, and talked for hours about mental health, the commonalities in our stories, and how Australia just might move beyond where it is when it comes to dealing with our obligation to the 1st Nations Aboriginal People of this country. Joe’s a tour de force of a man, blisteringly smart an exceptionally talented when it comes to debate - he’s a real powerhouse not only in the world of talking about Mental Health - but also when it comes to talk about race relations in Australia.I couldn’t be more proud to have Joe on the show, and I’m grateful to do what I can to amplify his message. Joe’s memoir is called “Defying The Enemy Within: How I silenced the negative voices in my head to survive and thrive” and I couldn’t recommend it enough. We caught up over Skype a few weeks ago, and I’m grateful that we were able to make it happen. You can find Joe on Twitter or IG @joewilliams_tewLet him know you heard him here.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Williams is an author, speaker, and activist. A proud Wiradjuri, 1st Nations Aboriginal man born in Cowra NSW, raised in Wagga NSW. Joe’s a former elite athlete - having played Rugby League at the highest levels in this country before switching to boxing and becoming the 2x WBF World Jnr Welterweight Champion. Joe now dedicates his time to traveling the country giving talks and running workshops on Suicide Prevention and Wellbeing Education. I obviously knew about Joe before I met him, but we got a chance to meet for real at the Brisbane Writer’s Festival where he and Audrey and I shared a wonderful meal at the Greenhouse Canteen, and talked for hours about mental health, the commonalities in our stories, and how Australia just might move beyond where it is when it comes to dealing with our obligation to the 1st Nations Aboriginal People of this country. Joe’s a tour de force of a man, blisteringly smart an exceptionally talented when it comes to debate - he’s a real powerhouse not only in the world of talking about Mental Health - but also when it comes to talk about race relations in Australia.I couldn’t be more proud to have Joe on the show, and I’m grateful to do what I can to amplify his message. Joe’s memoir is called “Defying The Enemy Within: How I silenced the negative voices in my head to survive and thrive” and I couldn’t recommend it enough. We caught up over Skype a few weeks ago, and I’m grateful that we were able to make it happen. You can find Joe on Twitter or IG @joewilliams_tewLet him know you heard him here.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Naomi Simson is an Entrepreneur, Speaker, Author, Founding director of Red Ballon and Co-Founder of the Big Red Group. She’s written three books - Live What you Love, Ready to Soar and "I Want What She’s Having”. She also featured for a number of years on Shark Tank as one of the investors. This is the second time Naomi’s been on the show and so much has happened since then. We do give our conversation some context but if you’d like to get the full story of her background we cover that extensively in the first chat back in episode 95. It doesn’t matter if you never think you’re ever going to start a business, this conversation is important to hear because Naomi’s outlook on life, leadership and what’s really important in this world are really worth the listen. If you resonate with this conversation - please reach out to Naomi and let her know @naomisimson on IG and Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Naomi Simson is an Entrepreneur, Speaker, Author, Founding director of Red Ballon and Co-Founder of the Big Red Group. She’s written three books - Live What you Love, Ready to Soar and "I Want What She’s Having”. She also featured for a number of years on Shark Tank as one of the investors. This is the second time Naomi’s been on the show and so much has happened since then. We do give our conversation some context but if you’d like to get the full story of her background we cover that extensively in the first chat back in episode 95. It doesn’t matter if you never think you’re ever going to start a business, this conversation is important to hear because Naomi’s outlook on life, leadership and what’s really important in this world are really worth the listen. If you resonate with this conversation - please reach out to Naomi and let her know @naomisimson on IG and Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Guthrie is a Chef and Wellness coach that splits his time between Byron Bay and Bali. Living a life chasing what he thought was success, and at the frighteningly young age of 39, Adam suffered a heart attack. Unlike many men who simply take the stent and don’t change their diet and just stay on the downward spiral, Adam made a lasting commitment to change - and as he describes managed to get off his heart medication through taking a path of more physical activity and a plant based diet. But he didn’t just do a little bit of exercise, Adam worked his way through subtle daily increases in effort to training for and completing an Iron Man. Adam’s story is one of incredible inspiration. Of a health care system that mightn’t be open to solutions right in front of our eyes. A story of self discovery, forgiveness and compassion for ones own past, and a commitment to sharing the joy of his new life with others. You can find out more about what Adam is doing at ifeelgood.com.au he’s also on IG @adamguthriePlease enjoy part two of my conversation with Adam Guthrie.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Guthrie is a Chef and Wellness coach that splits his time between Byron Bay and Bali. Living a life chasing what he thought was success, and at the frighteningly young age of 39, Adam suffered a heart attack. Unlike many men who simply take the stent and don’t change their diet and just stay on the downward spiral, Adam made a lasting commitment to change - and as he describes managed to get off his heart medication through taking a path of more physical activity and a plant based diet. But he didn’t just do a little bit of exercise, Adam worked his way through subtle daily increases in effort to training for and completing an Iron Man. Adam’s story is one of incredible inspiration. Of a health care system that mightn’t be open to solutions right in front of our eyes. A story of self discovery, forgiveness and compassion for ones own past, and a commitment to sharing the joy of his new life with others. You can find out more about what Adam is doing at ifeelgood.com.au he’s also on IG @adamguthriePlease enjoy part one of my conversation with Adam Guthrie.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allan Sparkes is Dep Commissioner - Mental Health Commission of NSW. Cross of Valour, OAM & Commendation for Brave Conduct recipient. He’s a Best selling Author & Speaker. And self described Rugby Tragic.Find him on Twitter @AllanSparkes and on IG @Allansparkes_cv Allan Sparkes OAM is one of Australia's most highly decorated citizens and a leader in the shift toward the inclusion of lived experience in the areas of mental wellness and suicide prevention.  Allan is one of just five Australian heroes in the past 43 years to be awarded Australia's highest bravery decoration and civil award, the Cross of Valour. In January 2017, Allan was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (0AM) for service to mental health support organisations and the community. In August 2016 he was further awarded Australia's 4th highest bravery decoration, The Commendation for Brave Conduct for saving the life of an aboriginal man who had fallen onto train tracks at Redfern Railway Station in Sydney.  His life story is extraordinary. He is also a sailor who has circumnavigated the globe, a survivor of PTSD and a best selling author with Penguin Books. Allan's book, 'The Cost of Bravery' was released on May 22, 2013 and reprinted in January 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allan Sparkes is Dep Commissioner - Mental Health Commission of NSW. Cross of Valour, OAM & Commendation for Brave Conduct recipient. He’s a Best selling Author & Speaker. And self described Rugby Tragic.Find him on Twitter @AllanSparkes and on IG @Allansparkes_cv Allan Sparkes OAM is one of Australia's most highly decorated citizens and a leader in the shift toward the inclusion of lived experience in the areas of mental wellness and suicide prevention.  Allan is one of just five Australian heroes in the past 43 years to be awarded Australia's highest bravery decoration and civil award, the Cross of Valour. In January 2017, Allan was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (0AM) for service to mental health support organisations and the community. In August 2016 he was further awarded Australia's 4th highest bravery decoration, The Commendation for Brave Conduct for saving the life of an aboriginal man who had fallen onto train tracks at Redfern Railway Station in Sydney.  His life story is extraordinary. He is also a sailor who has circumnavigated the globe, a survivor of PTSD and a best selling author with Penguin Books. Allan's book, 'The Cost of Bravery' was released on May 22, 2013 and reprinted in January 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johann Hari is the author of two New York Times best-selling books. His first, ‘Chasing the Scream: the First and Last Days of the War on Drugs’, is currently being adapted into a major Hollywood feature film, and into a non-fiction documentary series. You can search for his Ted Talk “Everything you know about addiction is wrong” online or in the show notes. His most recent book, ‘Lost Connections: Uncovering The Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions’ really struck a chord with me - because he describes that depression and anxiety are a less about what’s going on in your brain but more about what’s going on in your environment. That the causes of Anxiety and Depression while in some parts indeed genetic - environment and how we live goes a long way to affect us. To quote him directly: "If you are depressed and anxious, you are not a machine with malfunctioning parts. You are a human being with unmet needs. The only real way out of our epidemic of despair is for all of us, together, to begin to meet those human needs – for deep connection, to the things that really matter in life.”Over the course of the book, Johann identifies nine different causes of Anxiety and Depression and offers solutions to the issues he talks about, but at the bare minimum, what he’s found over his exhaustive research is stuff we all seemed to know already:We as humans need to feel we belong. We need to feel we’re good at stuff. We need to feel valued by others. We need to feel secure about the future.We need to feel that our life and work has meaning.Take those five things away, and it’s easy to see how you can slip off the edge of the world.Two quick notes: We talk about medication in this conversation. Do NOT stop or change your dose of medication without talking to your doctor. We discuss the helps and hindrances of medication - and I disclose as I have done with you many times that meds saved my life, they helped me incredibly, until they didn’t. And then it was time to find a way to live without them. But that is my journey and my journey alone - it was a decision made by me and my doctors together over the course of many months. I’ll say it again, Do NOT stop or change your dose of medication without talking to your doctor.Also: This conversation covers issues such as severe childhood trauma, including sexual assault and violence. So if that’s a trigger for you when you hear Johann say “this is tough for me to talk about but I’ve been trying to do it more in interviews” - skip forward about ten minutes and you should emerge ok on the other side. I can’t thank Johann enough for being on the show. His new book Lost Connections is out NOW in Australia in Paperback , and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s a total game-changer. We did catch up over Skype and internet being what it is in my country - there’s a few glitches here and there, apologies - we can Fax Scott Morrison and ask where out information superhighway is. I hope the glitches don’t detract too much from your enjoyment of this superb chat - Enjoy part one of my conversation over Skype with Johann Hari. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johann Hari is the author of two New York Times best-selling books. His first, ‘Chasing the Scream: the First and Last Days of the War on Drugs’, is currently being adapted into a major Hollywood feature film, and into a non-fiction documentary series. You can search for his Ted Talk “Everything you know about addiction is wrong” online or in the show notes. His most recent book, ‘Lost Connections: Uncovering The Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions’ really struck a chord with me - because he describes that depression and anxiety are a less about what’s going on in your brain but more about what’s going on in your environment. That the causes of Anxiety and Depression while in some parts indeed genetic - environment and how we live goes a long way to affect us. To quote him directly: "If you are depressed and anxious, you are not a machine with malfunctioning parts. You are a human being with unmet needs. The only real way out of our epidemic of despair is for all of us, together, to begin to meet those human needs – for deep connection, to the things that really matter in life.”Over the course of the book, Johann identifies nine different causes of Anxiety and Depression and offers solutions to the issues he talks about, but at the bare minimum, what he’s found over his exhaustive research is stuff we all seemed to know already:We as humans need to feel we belong. We need to feel we’re good at stuff. We need to feel valued by others. We need to feel secure about the future.We need to feel that our life and work has meaning.Take those five things away, and it’s easy to see how you can slip off the edge of the world.Two quick notes: We talk about medication in this conversation. Do NOT stop or change your dose of medication without talking to your doctor. We discuss the helps and hindrances of medication - and I disclose as I have done with you many times that meds saved my life, they helped me incredibly, until they didn’t. And then it was time to find a way to live without them. But that is my journey and my journey alone - it was a decision made by me and my doctors together over the course of many months. I’ll say it again, Do NOT stop or change your dose of medication without talking to your doctor.Also: This conversation covers issues such as severe childhood trauma, including sexual assault and violence. So if that’s a trigger for you when you hear Johann say “this is tough for me to talk about but I’ve been trying to do it more in interviews” - skip forward about ten minutes and you should emerge ok on the other side. I can’t thank Johann enough for being on the show. His new book Lost Connections is out NOW in Australia in Paperback , and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s a total game-changer. We did catch up over Skype and internet being what it is in my country - there’s a few glitches here and there, apologies - we can Fax Scott Morrison and ask where out information superhighway is. I hope the glitches don’t detract too much from your enjoyment of this superb chat - Enjoy part one of my conversation over Skype with Johann Hari. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

@Michael_McQueen is a speaker, author and futurist from Australia. The majority of his work centres around helping organisations prepare for what’s to come, to look beyond the horizon at how trends in society, in politics, in technology will change the way they work. This applies to not only the private sector but also the public sector. I’m happy about this because ideas can sometimes move faster through the private sector and then into public policy when enough of the community demands it. Michael’s sixth book “How to prepare now for what’s next” is well worth your time, and I hope this conversation tickles a few tendrils of your curious brain so that you might think a little differently about what’s around the corner .For more about Michael - go to michaelmcqueen.net until then, enjoy the show….  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Taylor made world headlines a few years ago when in seeking to battle food addiction, he lost over 50kg by eating nothing but potatoes for a whole year. It’s a simple headline however his story goes much deeper than that. Speaking to Andrew, I learned that even though in my case the addiction was alcohol - our stories were very similar, and the abstinence model was what worked for us both. During our conversation, I heard many parallels with my own life, my own relationship to food and indeed what I use food for - beyond just sustaining my body to live another day. I should say upfront, the way Andrew tackled his food addiction is what worked for him - however, there are other ways to deal with this issue, including Overeaters Anonymous which I know has worked well for people close to me. On the whole I love this conversation because it’s a perfect example of someone who saw what effect their own habitual actions was having on his life, saw where he was going to end up if he didn’t do something about it, and took action by creating a system of behaviour that was simple to follow and if practiced daily gave him spectacular results. He’s a great bloke and I’m stoked he took the time to fly down to see me. If you like what you hear, please hit him up on IG @spudfitAnd enjoy this conversation with Andrew Taylor.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you need to talk please take it seriously and start with your GP or call lifeline on 131114. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kath Koschel is an incredibly inspiring human. She’s the founder of kindnessfactory.com and has a story that will break your heart three times before it lifts you up into the glowing warm of the collective love of humanity. This conversation deals with suicide and the effects of road trauma, so if you do need to talk to anyone please seek help from your doctor or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.Kath’s story is one of the incredible power of human resilience and the overwhelming kindness of our community at large. We’re so polarised to believe it’s Left vs Right, Liberal vs Labor, Sustainability vs Environmental pillage, but there’s actually a vast and overwhelming feeling of joy and compassion in our country and Kath’s story proves it. A world-class athlete struck down by crippling injury at the height of her career, Kath has learned to walk three times in her life. Once as a toddler, and twice as an adult. She’s also had to face the devastation of losing the love of her life to suicide just as the rays of sunshine were starting to warm things up again. Yet Kath’s outlook on the world, her attitude to kindness, forgiveness and trust in the goodness of the community at large will make you feel a lot better about the world as a whole. Because Kath’s out to show you, me and everyone else that kindness is indeed what we naturally have in our hearts and it’s something that on a self-centred level - actually feels good. Help her get to 1,000,000 acts of kindness over at kindnessfactory.com, and enjoy this conversation with Kath Koschel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jane Lu is the founder and CEO of online fashion retailer Showpo, a company valued at over $30M dollars. You can find her on Instagram @thelazyceo and I can tell you first hand that this woman is a powerhouse. A quick scroll through her feed will show you she’s living the dream, surrounding herself with an incredible staff and working damned hard to make her business not only grow but be a great place to work. Was it always this way for her? No way. Did she come from incredible adversity? Did she face failure? A dead-end job? The disdain of her parents for quitting what looked like a stable career? Yes, yes, yes and yes. You might not want to start an online fashion empire in 2019 - but you most definitely can take a listen to this and have it put the bellows to the fire in your belly. What were you dreaming of doing this year? After listening to this episode I have no question that you’ll get right to it. Enjoy this conversation with the incredibly inspirational human that is Jane Lu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eiji Han Shimizu is a highly successful publisher, film maker and lecturer. Find out more about him at latinsamurai.comHis exceptional Manga biographies of influential world figures have been published in 25 countries & 10 languages.At 35, working with the biggest media companies in Tokyo his life resembled a picture perfect example of what a highly successful person would have. Following a moment in his life which we talk about, Eiji changed course and embarked on a global search for sustainable happiness, where he and his director Roko Belic traveled the world searching for what makes people genuinely and sustainably happy.www.thehappymovie.comThis is a wonderful conversation that took place in an Air BnB in Amsterdam when I was working at the THNK school of creative leadership there, there's tea, there's crunchy biscuits, there's mic noise - but there's also bombs of wisdom. Enjoy this conversation on Harlemmerdijk in Jordaan, Amsterdam - with Eiji Han Shimizu.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Baccon is a photographer based in Sydney, Australia. Find him on IG @bacconphotoOver the years you would have seen his work on numerous magazine covers, ad campaigns, billboards and book covers - including my own. In fact the photo that became the cover of my book has been named as a finalist in the National Photographic Portrait Prize and will be exhibited at the national portrait gallery in Canberra from Feb 22. The story behind that photo is worth hearing, which is why I got Steve in as my guest this week. A quick note about that - I know this is not the photography podcast - however it just happened to turn out that we had two shooters in a row on, however the way my guest last week approaches photography vs the way Steve approaches photography - they’re two entirely different things. And while you may not ever take a photo on anything other than your phone - what Steve has to teach us about approach to work, humility when it comes to applying yourself to work and indeed how to cope when everything is going horribly wrong - it’s worth the price of admission. Steve’s a warm, humble, kind man - he was my first choice to shoot the cover of my book and you’re about to hear why. Enjoy a great cup of coffee and a great chat with the wonderful human from Sydney that is Steve Baccon.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doug Menuez is a photographer from the US, who has covered everything from the Ethiopian Famine, the emergence of the AIDS crisis, and most notably the rise of Silicon Valley between 1985 and 2000. You and I are communicating right now, both broadcasting and listening, thanks to people that he chronicled during his time documenting the incredible emergence of that part of the world and the technology to come out of it. Doug and I first came to know each other when I was studying at THNK in Amsterdam, and I’m so very grateful that he and I were able to talk today. I’ve always been a firm believer in documenting your work - my vast collection of on-set and behind the scenes pictures from the early years of Idol and my time in the USA are a testimony to that, and Doug is a fantastic example of why it’s important. Possibly his most important work was documenting the incredible rise of Silicon Valley from 1985-2000, capturing the creation of technology that you and I use every single day. You might not ever think you’ll be a photojournalist, you might only ever take photos on your phone, however what Doug has to talk about today is not only a masterclass in documenting the world around you - but also what it takes to truly change the world, from a man that was in the room as the world was being changed. This one’s pretty nerdy - it’s not often get to talk to one of my photography heroes, but hey you never know - what works for Doug in his photography process might just translate into your own process…Doug joined me over Skype from his loft in NYC, enjoy this conversation with the great Doug Menuez. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul De Gelder is a former naval clearance diver whom after a horrific shark attack which saw him lose his right forearm and right leg, has since become a high-profile shark conservationist, author, actor, motivational speaker and advocate for a plant-based diet. A former Brisbane boy, he found incredible success in the military. First with the Australian Army and then with the Navy - until in February 2009, while testing some new technology in Sydney Harbour right by the naval base next to the opera house, he was attacked by a bull shark - an attack that nearly killed him. Paul has described feeling a whack on the leg, looking down and seeing a bull shark, two rows of 36 razor sharp teeth, locked on to his upper right thigh. He tried to push the shark away when he realised that his right hand was also in the shark’s mouth as it was literally eating him alive, all the while dragging him deeper underwater. Suddenly the shark was gone, and Paul’s wetsuit was buoyant enough to bring him back to the surface where he managed to swim back to the safety boat. Multiple complicated surgeries, months of painful rehab and sheer determination later - Paul returned to the Navy as a diving instructor, this time with a prosthetic arm and leg. Paul’s story is one that rightly has inspired millions around the world, who now know him as one of the faces of the international cultural phenomenon “Shark Week”, where he’s routinely back underwater, back face to face with nature’s apex predators. I can’t get enough of this guy. He’s a testament to acceptance of a situation beyond your control, then adapting and living your fullest life with your new parameters. Paul’s such an inspiring man, a beacon of showing how strength and compassion coexist within one person.  He’s also a man who’s mental fortitude is one I aspire to, his outlook on life is something that I wish to emulate. If you have Instagram I’d highly suggest following him there - @pauldegelder. In fact just the other day he posted something that I wanted to share with you. "Probably the biggest reason I never slid into depression is because I found value and purpose. I lost a lot. But instead of bitching about it I found ways to fill those holes with a whole new set of skills and a whole new life. No PTSD, no nightmares, never a flashback. The struggle doesn’t weaken us, it forges us into a stronger more durable tool to improve the lives of those around us. That’s value and purpose.”He’s an incredible guy, I am stoked for you to meet him. So if you will, come to my kitchen where you can sit and enjoy a cup of tea with this absolutely remarkable man, the one and only Paul De Gelder.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Damon Herriman is an Australian actor best known for his work in the TV show Justified and Mr Inbetween. He and I met when I first started working in TV back in the day, and even lived in the same building for a while when I was living in LA. Damon is on the cusp of exploding into the stratosphere - when we spoke he wasn’t able to discuss what he was working on while I was recording, however I knew it would eventually come out - so I can tell you now. Damon has been cast in the new Tarantino movie Once Upon a time in Hollywood, playing the role of Charles Manson. An astonishingly high-profile role for him, working with a legend of cinema - one I wish we could have spoken about but that’s ok, listening to this you’ll get to know more about this remarkable man and the path that he’s taken to get to this dizzying height. I was particularly interested in talking to him about the seasonal aspect of his job, how he deals with the ebbs and flows of the work. Damon is a humble guy, and came around to the apartment a few weeks back for a cuppa and some irregular dog barking from Frank.I hope you enjoy this engaging conversation with Damon Herriman. In case you need it: https://www.efax.com.au/Our PM Scott Morrison’s Fax numbers: +61295238959 +61262734100Our Environment minister Melissa Price’s Fax numbers:+61 8 9192 8860+61 8 9921 7990 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Psychologist Tahnee Schulz. Tahnee is a highly experienced psychologist with a background in mental health, trauma, substance use, complex co-morbid presentations and corporate psychology. For the past four years, she has specialised in critical incident response and has worked with various people involved in and affected by the tragic passing of cricketer Phillip Hughes, the Sydney Lindt Café siege, several Royal Commissions and the Nepal Earthquakes Rescue Mission.She’s essentially like the mental health paramedic, but instead of a medical kit full of butterfly stitches and IV drips, she has her words and knowledge to assist with the mental trauma of a situation with great physical trauma and danger. This conversation talks a lot about trauma and the effects of trauma. Part of the chat takes us to a pretty grim place and about 1/2 hour in there’s a conversation about a case she worked on that involved a kid - if you want to skip ahead a few minutes I won’t be upset. If this conversation does bring anything up for you please call lifeline 131114. You’re going to get a lot out of this - I know I did. Please enjoy this conversation with Tahnee Schulz.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Fielding is a doctor, drummer, CEO and founder of a number of companies including Audeara. Find him on Twitter and Instagram @jamesafielding He’s from Brisbane, Australia, and is one of the young guns of the very hot entrepreneurial start up scene there in Queensland. James has quite a story to tell and in this conversation you’ll hear about how he as a doctor chose to pivot into helping others at scale through the power of music. As someone with noise-induced hearing loss, it’s people like James that really fascinates me - because he’s found a way to fuse his love of music with his desire to help people. But he’s so much more than that. If you’ve ever thought about starting a business, or putting yourself out there - this conversation is for you. If you thought you had to wait until you got overseas to start your venture - after this conversation you’ll be fired right up. I firmly believe the future of Australia is nested in our intellectual capital, and people like James are the new frontier of entrepreneurs who stay here to build their businesses and bring knowledge and momentum to our country - a thing that for so long left to foreign shores where in the past capital and opportunity were more readily available - as James clearly says - that’s no longer the case. We’re in a whole new world my friends, and James and his team are one of the companies leading the charge. I know you’ll get a lot out of this conversation with James Fielding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest today is Ali Hill. She’s the CEO of Australian Financial Review Fast 100 company Pragmatic Thinking, she’s a psychologist and a best-selling author of the book “Stand Out: A real world guide to get clear, find purpose and become the boss of busy”. Seems like a pretty good idea, right?Her podcast is called “Stand Out life” and can be heard wherever podcasts are - probably the same place you hear this one. She’s got a lot to say about psychology and the role of psychology in negotiation in the workplace, care at work and how to manage stresses that come with a modern life - but you’ll hear all of that in the next hour. You can find her on IG at @alihillHope you enjoy this chat with Ali Hill. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Catherine Milne is the publisher at Harper Collins - she’s the reason I have a book out. Catherine is an extraordinary woman, with a wonderful passion for her work and the written word, she is warm and kind and as you’ll hear speaks with a romantic glow in her heart about story and the power of story. Catherine has a tough job - taking chumps like me, who’ve never written more than 800 words and turning them into authors. She guided me through the process with a kind but firm hand, she helped me through the hard parts and talked me through what works and what doesn’t work. You might not yet have written a book, but listening to this conversation with Catherine, I hope you’ll understand a bit more about the kind of person that it takes to bring a book from a thought to a thing. She’s a truly wonderful woman.I hope you enjoy this conversation with Catherine Milne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matthew Mitcham is a retired Olympic Diver who has a life full of firsts. He’s the first openly gay athlete to ever win an Olympic gold medal, winning that gold medal with the highest-ever single dive score in Olympic History. While his career was incredibly high profile, and he indeed achieved dominance in his sport - it was what happened out of the pool that has in my opinion shaped the wonderful man who came over to our apartment this week. Matthew wrote a memoir in 2012 called “Twists and Turns”, and is currently topping off a linguistics degree as he grows into a superb cabaret performer. He’s got a show coming up this week in Sydney - UP CLOSE AND PERSONALwith Matthew MitchamSaturday 27 October, 7pmBondi Pavilion Theatrehttp://www.bonditheatrecompany.com.au/shows/up-close-and-personalThis conversation talks a bit about diving. A bit about sexuality, and a LOT about addiction and recovery. There’s quite a bit of stuff in here that might trigger you if you or someone you know has a history of crystal meth use - and if you need someone to talk to in Australia please call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or reach out to the crisis counselling service in your area.Speaking of reaching out. In this conversation Matthew and I speak a lot about meetings. The meetings are everywhere, they’re not hard to find, and if you need help, and you’re willing to do whatever it takes to not need to drink or use again, you’ll find what you need in those meetings. I can’t recommend them enough. If you’ve never had a problem with drinking or using - I hope this conversation gives you a window into what life can be like in recovery, and the daily work that can happen so that life doesn’t need to be a repetitive downward spiral heading to the foregone conclusion of institution, hospitalisation or incarceration, or worse. That’s not the chirpiest intro I’ve done - but this is a solid chat with a guy that’s got some solid time, it was good to talk about recovery this way. You can find Matthew on twitter he’s @matthew_mitcham and instagram @MatthewMitcham88- let him know you heard him here, and enjoy this conversation with Matthew Mitcham. That was he’s on Twitter @matthew_mitcham and instagram @MatthewMitcham88- let him know you heard him here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emma Roche is an Australian author and whole-food plant-based food advocate who lives year-round in Belgium. You can find her on instagram @plantplateI’m very aware of the privilege that I have as a white, male, middle class guy that I can afford to live a plant-based life. Indeed at times in my life I have definitely gone overboard and bought the $20 jar of organic virgin dirt single origin solar-powered peanut butter.However it doesn’t have to be like that. And lately I’ve been getting more and more frugal about how I feed myself to live this way, and you know what - chickpeas are cheap. Rice is cheap. Veggies are cheap. It doesn’t have to be a Gwennyth Paltrow $470 a week for one person grocery bill. It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. This is where Emma Roche comes in. She’s written a couple of brilliant books about living a whole-food plant based life on a budget. In fact they do what they say on the box “Whole Food Plant Based on $5 a day” is the book I first found, and it spread the message that you can feed yourself and your family well, and cheaply, on less than $50 a week per person - which is a pretty excellent price point if you ask me. Her books are available at plantplate.comIf you’re new to the idea of eating this way, or you’ve been curious about it but don’t know how to make the first steps away from the food you grew up knowing, or you're befuddled at the $10 macrobiotic sprouted tempeh that you think you need to put in each meal - this episode is for you. A warning, if you haven’t eaten yet and you’re listening to this on an empty stomach, you’ll want to cook something delicious today I can guarantee it. Emma’s a great chat, and we caught up over Skype from her home in Europe. Enjoy this conversation with Emma Roche.  Until we speak next time, do what you can where you are with what you have, and urge those in power to do the right thing. Our Prime Minister’s number is:Telephone:(02) 6277 7700Fax:(02) 6273 4100Angus Taylor the Minister for Energy is Phone: (02) 6277 7710And Melissa Price, Minister for the Environment is at Ph:  (02) 6277 4242It’s up to us my friends. You can’t do everything, you can’t do nothing, but you can do something. So let’s do it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jarrad Seng is an Australian photographer, videographer, artist and former contestant on the toughest game on the planet - Survivor. I’m very aware that as a white, straight, male, middle class person - that I was always seeing people that looked like me not only in the world but also on TV. Jarrad didn’t have that. With a mum from Christmas Island and a Dad from Malaysia - the phrase ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ was very real for him growing up in Western Australia. Today we speak about what life was like growing up where he did - his path to becoming a professional photographer, and indeed what affect instagram is having on us as a society. Then somewhere around the 1/2 way mark we start talking about Survivor. If you don’t know what survivor is - as far as I’m concerned it’s probably the greatest game invented by people. Part hunger-games, part battle of the minds, it’s an incredible exploration to the nature of humans in the face of adversity. If you’ve never watched an episode - it’s more than just shirtless dudes throwing coconuts through a hoop - it’s so much more. It’s like the hardest game of chess you can imagine, combined with the back-channeling and politics of a climate-summit, mixed with the toughest crossfit class you’ve ever taken, while living in the outdoors in a way that would make Bear Grylls wish for a sleeping bag.  I’m grateful that Jarrad made the time to come on the podcast, and since we recorded this - we’ve both attended the finale show - and let me tell you, it’s going to blow the roof off when you see who wins. So without any further delay, come to a hotel room in Sydney where my family is living while the bathrooms in our apartment are being renovated, and enjoy this conversation with Jarrad Seng. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’m sad today. Because even though Wayne Coyne from the flaming lips tells us that everyone we know someday will die, it’s still tough when they do. Over the weekend my friend, Disability Advocate, Author, Playwright, director, producer, actor and multiple podcast guest Quentin Kenihan passed away. He was 43. He was also a man that had been told he’s not going to live to see his next birthday since he was a child. Anyone that knew him will know what a titan he was. I am so very sad that he is gone. He and I met in 2003 when we were still recording Australian Idol, before an episode had even aired - and he helped me understand what life in the public eye worked like.We stayed close through the up times and were there for each other over and over on the dark times.For all the late night phone calls, Skype and FaceTime across the planet, I’m grateful we were there to support each other as we navigated this journey.The presence and joy he had in every breath he took was always evident, even when he had to start using an Oxygen generator to take those breaths. I’ve never known anyone to truly live every day with the joy and deliberate purpose as you, but when you’ve been told that you won’t live another year every year since you were a kid - I guess life becomes immediate quickly.His fierce independence, his tenacious drive and his incredible creativity will stay with me forever.He touched many people. I’m grateful that I had a front row seat to his world, and that Audrey was indeed able to share some of those times too - I’m glad she got to know him as I did.Here’s the first time I had Quentin on my podcast, back in episode 21. I’ll miss you Q. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I am so excited to be sharing my conversation with Susan David with you. Her book "emotional agility” was one of the books I devoured in the first few months of coming off of meds, as I tried to learn more about my head and about what’s going on when I get triggered with panic or rumination. The wide angle view of Susan’s work is that discomfort or indeed uncomfortable feelings is the price of admission to a meaningful life. When I first saw her Ted Talk, “The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage" which has well over 3 Million Views by now - this was like a revelation to me. I say to Audrey all the time - I have these moments where it’s like we’ve hit the “release” button on the pressure cooker - just one small string of words or an idea can free me from the swirling vortex of rumination. And when I first heard Susan’s hypothesis, this was like permission to have this discomfort within my body - and that indeed absorbing it and realising that not only was I bigger than it but also that it would pass - well that was incredibly liberating. Bear in mind that I needed to be on meds for a long time until I was able to hear such things and have them stick - when I was sick and experiencing psychosis it wouldn’t have mattered if A Harvard Ph,D psychologist like Susan David sat in my kitchen and told me this like she does today - it simply wouldn’t have mattered. But thankfully I have healed a lot and I’m getting about doing the daily work so that ideas and concepts like this can indeed stick in and make a difference to my day. In fact just this morning, Audrey and I were coming back from the airport after a lovely week away in Bali, when I did something I shouldn’t have done on three hours of sitting in a chair plane sleep. I opened twitter and saw an article claiming that the Trump administration was using an unstoppable and cataclysmic climate change projection of a 7ºC rise by 2100 was justification that car emission regulations weren’t going to make a difference to why not lift the restrictions and just go to town on emissions since we’re all going to die anyway. Now if you’ve read my book you’ll know that Climate Change was my trigger - and indeed the paranoid delusions I was experiencing convinced me that such a scenario as this projection was happening today and I was the only one that knew about it. So as I sat in the back of a cab, my body just teetering on the edge of sunburn and tan after a week reading my Yuval Noah Harari book in the sunshine, my wife texting the dog sitter trying to reunite us with Frank later that day, the familiarly cool and punishing stab of fear pierced my stomach. Crisp and precise, my intestines turned to macrame and my heart nearly bursting through my ears. I could hardly breathe and as I look at the peerless blue sky and a man walking past in shorts I feel the icky tendrils return into my brain, the blue sky is bad, it should be cloudy this time of year - why’s he wearing shorts? It’s supposed to be cold? These two things clearly mean this article is correct, fuuuck here we go… I’m suddenly completely disconnected to the present. I’m no longer in the cab, no longer with Audrey, no longer basking in the glow of a week in Bali lying around by a pool reading books with my lover. I’ve been hijacked and I’m now imprisoned in a cage of future fear that feels completely real in my mind, utterly disconnected with where my body actually is. So I go straight to my tools. Breathe. Get control of my breathing. Feel my feet in my socks. Get into this moment. Get into my body. Reach out and touch Audrey on the hand. Connect with her and this reality right now, not the one in 82 years from now. Breathe some more. Where is this feeling in my body?It’s in my... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marcus Engman is the head of Design at Ikea of Sweden. With one billion customers on this planet - I’d be surprised if you have never lived with a piece of Ikea furniture. This podcast was recorded as a part of a special Ikea event in Sydney, and they’d invited me to interview Marcus on the night and have a conversation about design. But don’t worry this is not a conversation about furniture. Because for a moment - just think about the importance of design. A phrase I’m hung on at the moment around my book is ‘thoughts become things’. Look around you right now - every single object that is non-organic or non-geological in origin was once a thought in someone’s head. It was conceived in totality by someone, existing only in a mesh of neurones in their brains until it was created into being out of raw materials and now is something you can hold, touch, or use. This is true for every object around you. That chair, that rug, your car, your undies, every single object around you was once a thought. And thoughts, as we know - become things. This is true for both positive and negative thoughts, with enough deliberate and inspired action, they manifest into reality.And as Marcus describes that object can be designed not only for you to use, and hopefully make your life better - but perhaps be designed to change the way you behave, as a way of influencing you in a way that words or actions cannot. Marcus is a fascinating man, we get into his story in this chat so I won’t repeat it here - however I was absolutely thrilled to speak with him in front of a sold-out crowd of about two hundred people at the MCA in Sydney. I’d love your thoughts on this one - so please email me [email protected] Enjoy this conversation with Marcus Engman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today I’m joined by LA Radio Superstar Natalia Perez. She’s an announcer on the super-important radio show Big Boy's Neighborhood on Real 92.3 in LA. To give you an idea about how important this show is, the reason you first heard a Kendrick Lamar track on Australian radio is because Big Boy played it on his show first. He’s the one that breaks records to market. His endorsement gives music directors the world over permission to also start playing these songs. He’s a true legend of the industry and by legitimising artists on his show has helped create more music superstars the I’ve had hot dinners. Natalia worked together for three years on a radio show called The Hot Hits Live from LA, and as soon as I met her I knew she was something special. The way Natalia has crafted her career path, how she’s worked, and learned, and worked some more, and used a combination of super-hard work, willingness to learn more skills and a kindness that will knock you out of the park - this one will leave you so inspired about what’s possible in life, and indeed how you might be able to level up your own career. Next to my wife, Natalia is the kindest person I know. She’s also one of the most hard working people I’ve ever come across. If you’re at all interested in a career in media, or a career in an area that has a high barrier to entry - this conversation is a masterclass in how to achieve what you dreamed of achieving. I can’t thank Natalia enough for staying up super late to talk to me on this one - late being 4pm which for breakfast radio announcers is essentially midnight. You can find Natalia at @heynatalia on instagram, let her know you heard her here. This woman is one of the most dear people I know, and that I can share this conversation with you, and indeed give you a glimpse into the kind of person she is and that incredible career success can be yours through hard work and kindness - well it’s pretty special.Enjoy this conversation with the wonderful Natalia Perez. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.