The Osher Günsberg Podcast

Damian Barbeler is an award-winning composer who I actually grew up with in Brisbane, and now lives with his family in Sydney.  Find him at barbeler.com   Damian's works have been commissioned from and performed in all parts of the world, his music is at the same time avant-garde and incredibly accessible.    He's got a PhD from the Sydney Conservatorium of music, he regularly teaches both young and old the art of composition and is indeed a man that can inspire his students to achievements they never thought possible. I know because he used to teach me.    He's one of the smartest, most creative people I know  - so I got him over to talk about creativity.  We could all use some.  Whether we're writing music, a book, a blog post, a dinner menu - nurturing and flexing our creative muscle is important, and today Damian talks about just that.    I hope that the tools and techniques and practice that he talks about resonate with you and that you can apply what he has to offer to your life, and your passion and purpose.   

Robert DeCastella is an International Sporting legend.  He set the World Record for the Marathon in 1981, competed in four consecutive olympic games, took Gold at two commonwealth games, won the boston marathon, & set a city to surf record that stood for ten straight years.    He's also a remarkable man who's focused his life after competition on helping others.  Not only through his time as Director of the AIS, but now as Director of the Indigenous Marathon Project.    Australian Indigenous Issues are very important to me, as you'll probably guess from listening to this show - so it's always a thrill when I can get a guest on who can shed light on this  - an issue so great that we as a nation have a chance to make things right, and we can do it in our lifetimes if we want to. http://imf.org.au

Cassie Howarth is an Actress from the Central Coast in NSW Australia. She's currently a major character on the landmark Australian TV show Home and Away, and is just a lovely human.    She came to my house one afternoon during the last week of their shooting schedule, and opened up about how her path to success pretty much broke her before redemption.  It's a common story on this show - that  you've got to get broken to build back stronger, and Cassie was very generous sharing what she had to say.    It's a great chat, an inspiring chat, and if you're going through some rough patch at the moment perhaps you can take heart in her tale of getting back up off the canvas, and coming out swinging.   So come and have a cup of tea in my living room with me and CAssie Howarth. 

Waleed Aly is the Anchor of the very popular national nightly news program "The Project", he's an Author, an academic, a lecturer at Monash University where he is also a staff member at the Global Terrorist Research Centre, he's a Dad and a very well measured and lovely man.    He exudes a calm about him that is comforting, and a learned way of speaking that makes you feel confident that everything's going to be alright. 

Ryan O'Kane is an actor from New Zealand who's doing great things  - most recently starred in "Mary, making of a princess" and is on the way in the Peter Brock telemovie, also played Jeff Thompson in the miniseries about World Series cricket - Howzat!   He's a lovely guy, a deep guy and a very, very funny guy.  Dry as anything but goodness he had me cracking up.    He came up to the house to hang out, have a chat.    Enjoy this conversation with the delightful Ryan O'Kane. 

Ben Gerrard is an extraordinarily talented performer from Victoria in the lower right hand side of Australia.  He's currently playing more than 20 characters all by himself in the brilliant solo show "I Am My Own Wife", which explores transgender issues, human rights, communism, and resilience - it's currently playing at the Old Fitz Theatre in Kings X, Sydney.  There's a few shows left, do whatever you can to go and see it.  He's also up for a Logie award for his brilliant comedic performances in "Open Slather" the sketch show on Foxtel.    Ben came to my house and was nothing but delightful There's a depth and talent to this man that is at first unassuming but gradually radiates out of him, blinding you.  He won't be in this country long, as I have the feeling that he's about to be one of our greatest comedic and dramatic actors.   I'm very happy that I can bring you this.   

  Jeffrey Foskett is a singer and guitar player from Northern California who's been a permanent member of the Beach Boys since the late 1970's. He went on to be Brian Wilson's musical director and right hand man for many years, and recently has rejoined the Beach Boys as they continue to write, record and tour to millions of fans all around the world.    It's not often I get the chance to chat with someone who is so clearly gifted, and has had a career in music that's gone on for so long - and you can bet that there's quite a story behind Jeffrey's success.    I'm a big believer in putting your intention out into the universe and then focusing your energy in the direction of that intention.    Jeffrey's story of how he got his break gave me goosebumps, but it's not uncommon  - if you've listened to this show - you've heard it time and time again.    I recorded this yesterday in the Intercontinental Hotel in Double Bay in Sydney on a humid Saturday afternoon when the world was still in shock about the news out of France.  We were only a few hours away from The Beach Boys taking the stage, and yet Jeffrey was kind enough to give me time to talk.    The Beach Boys are touring Australia this week, get out and see them if you can - like Jeff said, it might be the only time you see them so they're committed to putting on a great show.    I'm grateful for John Ferriter for hooking this up, It's a hell of a story. I hope you like it.   

Peter Garrett is one of the world's most iconic and recognisable musicians and activists, and is also the former federal environment minister and education minister.    For twenty five years he fronted Midnight Oil, one of this country's most powerful, outspoken, noisy, sweaty and thought-provoking bands.  Their musical career intertwined with activism from the very beginning, they made great music you could dance your ass off to - and within this music was a powerful message. Not a acoustic guitar jangley nasal protesty message either - but a powerful, masculine, almost warrior-like strength that spoke against injustice and inequality.    You'll hear through this chat that I reference my own experiences with Midnight Oil, because like many Australians of my generation and the one above me - they were inescapable.   Peter has just written a memoir called Big Blue Sky, which is out now all around the world wherever you buy your books - and I must thank his team from Allen & Unwin who responded to a random twitter request three weeks ago from a bloke that counts roses on the tv to sit down with one of Australia's most important voices.    Now, about the audio quality.  Peter wanted to meet in a cafe in Paddington on a saturday morning - so through the chat you'll hear the sounds of a cafe, the espresso machine firing up, the sirens, the music, the hubub of that part of Sydney on a bust weekend.    So with that in mind, I'd like you to join me for a cup of coffee at a very small table with the extraordinarily engaging, charismatic, intelligent and passionate Peter Garrett. 

Eiji Han Shimizu is a highly successful publisher, film maker and lecturer.    His 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. Watch at www.thehappymovie.com This is a wonderful conversation that took place in an Air BnB in Amsterdam, 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.    This episode brought to you by The Iconic offering my listeners 10% off full price styles over $99. Please support the people that support this show, and get some new duds while you're at it. 

Greg Callaghan is the Acting Editor of Good Weekend, SMH, The Age, journalist, & author of a book that shook me to the core: Bondi Badlands.   It's the true crime story of some heinous and depraved murders that happened at the park on the south end of Bondi Beach, Marks Park.   Right now, the park is home to Sculpture by the Sea - the fantastic annual public art event that stretches from Bondi down to Bronte.  So while you're wandering around up there on the cliff tops admiring the steel and marble and wood and glass, know that on those cliff tops, around 25 years ago, roaming gangs frequently violently bashed gay men who'd gone to the park in search of a romantic rendezvous.  This violence escalated, and some men where not only bashed - but thrown to their deaths from the tops of those cliffs.    The story is harrowing because the majority of the perpetrators never got caught, and there's actually a new reward for any information on the case.    A big warning up front.  In this conversation Greg describes quite graphically the kind of violence that went on, and we use language that was the label at the time for this kind of violence. We use the derogatory word poofter.  Now, I don't use this word in my day to day conversation - nor does Greg - however to adequately describe the attitude toward this violence I felt it was important to leave the language in, as that was the language used to describe it at the time.  There's lots of triggers in this conversation for any victims of violence, so if you're not feeling the best today please enjoy any of the other wonderful episodes available to you over at oshergunsberg.com   I've always been fascinated by this story, and I couldn't be more grateful to Greg for taking the time to talk to me about what he knew and for talking me through what is a crime that in my opinion should never be forgotten in our community.    The book is called Bondi Badlands, you can get it on Amazon and follow Greg on twitter     This is a heavy one, but it's an important one.  Here's Greg Callaghan.

Emma Leonard is an Australian actor, voice actor, improvisor, and all-round lovely human.    She's most famous internationally for her long-time role on Home and Away, the landmark Australian Soap Opera coming up to 30 years - and more recently for the huge drama hit 800 words.    She joined me to talk about Steiner Schools, how set is like school camp, and why there hasn't been a great Aussie multi-camera sitcom in nearly twenty years.  Apologies about the audio quality on this one, since my Mac updated none of my Noise reduction plug ins work in ableton, and there's two construction sites next door.  But hey, it adds to the authenticity.  Follow @EmmalouLeonard and let her know you liked anything you hear! Enjoy this.    This episode is brought to you by The Iconic, who are offering my listeners 10% of full price styles over $99. Same day 3 hour delivery in Sydney, and overnight to Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. 700 brands, 50,000 items. Support the people that support this show! The latest spring styles at your fingertips. 

My guest today Mike Cotty is a legend in the worldwide cycling community for his marathon cycling efforts,  having ridden astonishing feats of endurance - non stop rides across entire countries, and even continents - his longest being a 50hr and 29 minute non-stop epic 1,021km across the Dolomites, Eastern Alps and Swiss Alps. On this ride he conquered over 21,250m of brutal mountain climbing, or 2.4 "Everests".   However Mike is also a brilliant marketer, and he is now director of Media-24, a Cycling Media consultancy company here in Europe.    Throughout this conversation, Mike shares his story, and brings some insight to not only how he was able to achieve such astonishing goals of endurance, but how the limitations that we give ourselves are often just a label and way, way lower than what we can actually achieve.    If you dig this, follow Mike on twitter - @cottydale

Jono Nicholas is the CEO of ReachOut.com, which was the first online mental health service in the world.  He's been working there for over fifteen years, as you'll hear - back in a time when you would have to dial a phone number to get access to the internet.  This week, Reach Out is launching a big campaign "There's life after year twelve" - which I'm sure is an internationally common issue - young adults feeling immense pressure to perform and that if their exams don't work out that their lives will be worthless.    So come with me to the inner-west of Sydney Australia for a conversation with internet pioneer, CEO, Psychologist, suicide counsellor, runner, dad and all around top bloke - Jono Nicholas.    This episode is brought to you by THE ICONIC who are offering my listeners 10% off full price styles with any purchase over $99. Head to theiconic.com.au/osher to support the people who support my show!

Lindsay McDougall is one of Australia's icons of alternative culture. For nearly twenty years he's been the guitar player for the iconic Australian punk band Frenzal Rhomb, and for ten years was a radio announcer on the national youth radio network JJJ.  Lindsay is never backward in coming forward about his thoughts on fairness - and in this conversation we discuss all kinds of expectations of fairness from race relations, to gender issues, climate issues and what it was like being a staunch lefty vegan who's dad was a member of the right-wing Australian Liberal party.    We met at Lindsay's home in Newton in Sydney, surrounded by more guitars, books and rock and roll memorabilia than I could possibly comprehend  - for a cup of tea and a chat while the bustling of King St continued below.  Ladies and gentlemen - Lindsay McDougall.    This episode is brought to you by THE ICONIC who are offering my listeners 10% off full price styles with any purchase over $99. Head to theiconic.com.au/osher to support the people who support my show!

Dwayne Martens is the founder and CEO of Amazonia, an incredibly successful health food and supplement company that he started in a juice stall in the Fremantle markets - and is now worth eight figures.  Dwayne is a brilliant CEO, a super successful manager, expert marketer and forward-thinking leader.  His view on the place he and his company have in the market is unique. He's pioneering a conscious form of commerce that empowers people all the way down the supply chain, advocating and demonstrating different forms of agriculture outside of the monocultural harvesting we see now, and going his part to help people eat better, live better and in his words Shine Brighter.    But Dwayne's story is something that reads like a movie.  From losing his home in South Africa due to unrest, to losing himself on the island of Ibiza, Dwayne had a crystal clear vision of where his life was headed - hit the brakes and began again on the path that's made him one of the youngest and most successful CEOs in the country.  Oh, and he also lives in a Teepee.    So come to my kitchen in Bronte beach in Sydney for a conversation that will leave you absolutely inspired.  It's also a conversation you'll need a piece of paper and a pen for at the end.  I hope you enjoy this chat with Dwayne Martens.