Straight Talk with Mark Bouris

Michelle Payne, the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, opens up about her journey from childhood on a dairy farm to racing stardom. She shares insights on overcoming personal tragedy and the challenges of fame, including managing public attention and handling safety concerns. Michelle discusses her strong family bonds, particularly with her brother Stevie, and how these relationships shaped her resilience. She also reflects on her career transitions, the impact of brain injuries, and her motivation to empower others through her new book, "Ride On."

You might know Mick Fanning as one of the greatest surfers of all time, but there’s a lot more to him than that. He’s a sharp businessman who helped build and sell Balter Breweries for a reported $200 million. Mick’s a three-time World Champion, one of the most respected figures in modern surfing, and someone who’s lived one hell of a life. I sat down with him at his latest venture, Palm Valley — a new wave pool on the Gold Coast. We spoke about: What made him the best surfer in the world and how he beat Kelly Slater and Joel Parkinson Behind the scenes of creating multi-million-dollar businesses and products — Balter and Reef Signature Sandals Dealing with the loss of his three brothers What really got him through his hard times The Northern Rivers floods and community His new chapter as a husband, parent, and businessman And his alter egos, Eugene and Cyborg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Reid built her career as an aerodynamicist at Williams Formula 1, before stepping out into the world of pastry making. In this episode, she opens about obsession, burnout, mental illness, and finding a new purpose, realising that her dream job wasn’t the dream life. She talks about rebuilding her life through baking and creating Lune Crossainterie, applying the same engineering mindset to mastering the croissant. Purchase Kate’s new book here: https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Destination-Moon/Kate-Reid/9781761632464 Join my exclusive Mentored+ community: https://mentored.com.au/become-a-member/  Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join former Prime Minister John Howard, Australia's second-longest-serving PM, for a candid discussion on his impactful leadership. He shares insights on pivotal reforms like the GST and gun laws, reflecting on challenges faced during his tenure. Howard also talks about his relationships with world leaders and the media's role in politics. Delve into his views on Australia's pragmatic nature, recent election dynamics, and his personal passions, from cricket to family life. This engaging conversation highlights lessons from his extraordinary political journey.

Glenn Pallister was one of the original producers of Rugby League's The Footy Show. In this episode, he takes us inside his incredible career — from the early days of building one of Australia’s most iconic TV shows, to what made it a cultural phenomenon. Glenn shares untold behind-the-scenes stories, working with Matty & Fatty, producing Shane Warne's interview show, and reflects on whether The Footy Show could ever make a comeback. Join my exclusive Mentored+ community: https://mentored.com.au/become-a-member/  Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony "Harry" Moffitt, an ex-SAS soldier with nearly three decades of service and a trained psychologist, shares fascinating insights from his military career. He discusses the rigorous SAS selection process and the evolving nature of stoicism and ethics in elite teams. Harry dives into the implications of technology in modern warfare and the challenges of military diversity. He emphasizes the importance of transitioning to civilian life and introduces the 'fourth pillar' philosophy, advocating for holistic approaches to high performance and reintegration.

Sarah Grynberg built her career behind the mic as Executive Producer of Hamish and Andy and on breakfast radio, before stepping out front with her own hit show A Life of Greatness. In this chat, she opens up about burnout, personal growth, the role of community, her spiritual journey, becoming a mindset coach and why podcasting can be as therapeutic as it is powerful — including her experiences interviewing some of the world’s biggest stars. Join my exclusive Mentored+ community: https://mentored.com.au/become-a-member/  Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Freedman AM is the founder and chairman of RØDE Microphones, the Australian audio powerhouse that revolutionised podcasting and the global creator economy. Was awesome to have him in the studio to talk about his life story. Coming to Australia as an immigrant at a young age, experiencing rough bullying, dropping out of high school, going through hell before finding success and ultimately changing podcasting/creator forever. We had an intriguing conversation about A.I.’s future and Australia’s. Mentored+ is a new platform built to bring you the best insights on business, career, and life. Join our community of hundreds of entrepreneurs and small business owners : https://mentored.com.au/become-a-member/ You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Josh Szeps is an intellectual, comedian, and host of the podcast Uncomfortable Conversations. Josh is known for his nuanced takes — which often spark backlash. In this episode, we get into his recent article on Israel and Palestine, his views on gay parenting, identity, tribalism, media manipulation and much more. Check out his podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/uncomfortable-conversations-with-josh-szeps Check out Josh's Substack here: https://substack.com/@joshszeps You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The CEO of Westpac shares his inspiring journey from competitive swimming to banking leadership. He discusses the significance of stakeholder management and the evolving role of compassion in leadership. The conversation delves into the cautious stance on cryptocurrency, balancing innovation with security concerns. Anthony also highlights the urgent need for policy reforms in housing access, advocating for a future that promotes equitable opportunities for younger generations. His insights reflect a thoughtful approach to navigating challenges in the financial landscape.