Peter Bol is an Australian Olympian who has represented the country in the 800 meters. He competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics, placed fourth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and won a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. We had a fascinating conversation about Peter's life—from fleeing the Sudanese civil war to growing up in Toowoomba, his introduction to athletics, his journey as an elite athlete, his Olympic experiences, how he dealt with the doping scandal for which he was ultimately cleared, how he bounced back from the incorrect doping allegations, what he's up to now, and so much more. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Straight Talk reached new heights in 2024. Thanks to everyone who listened, my team and I are incredibly grateful for your support. Here are some of last year's standout moments. Please comment which episodes were your favourites and who you want on the podcast next year. 00:00-11:45 (Nick Kyrgios) 11:47- 24:48 (Jim Jefferies) 24:52-35:49 (Chantelle Otten) 35:51- 49:23 (David Warner) 49:27 - 55:51 (Nina Kennedy) Listen to the full podcast via the links below, #128 Nick Kyrgios #140 Jim Jefferies #153 Chantelle Otten #121 David Warner #144 Nina Kennedy Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Straight Talk reached new heights in 2024. Thanks to everyone who listened, my team and I are incredibly grateful for your support. Here are some of the year's standout moments. Please comment which episodes were your favourites and who you want on the podcast next year. 00:00-14:31 (Eric Bana) 14:33- 31:24 (Ben Fordham) 31:26 - 47:12 (Mia Freedman) 47:16- 1:05:50 (Nathan & Ivan Cleary) 1:05:53- 1:19:46 (Robert Kiyosaki) Listen to the full podcast via the links below, #116 Eric Bana #66 Ben Fordham #66 Mia Freedman #92 Nathan & Ivan Cleary #85 Robert Kiyosaki Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neil Perry is one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs and restaurateurs, with a career spanning over four decades that has shaped the landscape of Australian dining. We had a wide-ranging conversation about his upbringing, his rise to prominence in the culinary world, his approach to parenting, what sets his restaurants and venues apart, and so much more. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I couldn’t think of a better time to drop this than in Ray’s final week of his 43-year career in full-time radio. We reflected on his childhood, where the origins of his ambition came from and how he got his start in radio. We also delved into Ray’s incredible career, his competitors in the industry, classic rugby league stories, his fiery exchanges with politicians and much more.  Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harry Triguboff is one of Australia’s most iconic entrepreneurs. His journey is truly remarkable, being born in China, and arriving in Australia as a teenager to live without his parents. From there, he built Meriton into the nation’s largest property development company and became a self-made billionaire. High-Rise Harry doesn’t hold back. He shares his unfiltered views on Australia’s political climate, takes on the housing crisis, and offers priceless insights into what it takes to succeed. Harry's new authorised biography is available for pre-order here: https://www.booktopia.com.au/high-rise-harry-harry-triguboff/book/9781760797881.html Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mia Freedman  is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Mamamia, Australia’s largest women’s media company. Mamamia engages over 6.5 million women monthly and hosts the world’s largest women’s podcast network, with 173 million listens across 46 shows. Mia is an author of 4 books and was the youngest ever editor of Cosmopolitan magazine at 25-years-old.  We had an open and honest conversation about our experiences of being parents and grandparents, Mia’s early career in media, the journey of building Mamamia, the growing influence of podcasts on political elections, living with ADHD, and much more. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cameron Smith is an Aussie golf superstar, best known for his 2022 Open Championship victory at St. Andrews and now making waves as the leader of the Ripper GC team following his switch to LIV Golf. We spoke about his early days growing up in Brisbane, the influence his parents had on shaping his career, the evolution of his golf game, the big move to LIV, leading the Ripper GC team, future ambitions, his recent marriage and much more. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is Australia’s latest and biggest Rugby Union signing. At just 21, he’s already played over three seasons with the Sydney Roosters before making the high-profile switch back to rugby. In this episode, we dive into Joseph’s life story, his journey through the NRL, his infamous Origin game, the much-debated move to rugby union, his ambitions with the Wallabies, and much more. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rocky Elsom is a former Wallabies captain with 70 international caps to his name. Rocky was handed a five-year prison sentence by a French court in October 2024 on charges of forgery and misusing funds during his time as president with French Rugby Union club Narbonne. This conviction triggered an international arrest warrant, but Rocky, who strongly denies these allegations, remains on the run, claiming he never got the fair shake to defend himself and plans to appeal. I spoke with Rocky while he was evading French and Irish authorities. Our conversation explored his conviction, the origins of this controversy, how his dealing with the case and what the future might hold for him. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Aston is an influential Australian journalist, widely recognised as the editor and writer behind the Financial Review's "Rear Window" column for 12 years. Joe’s latest book, The Chairman’s Lounge, has sparked a media storm, and we dived into why he thinks Qantas “sold us out.” We talked about his relentless dedication to journalism and took a closer look at the man behind the stories. Don't miss this one. Purchase Joe's new book,The Chairman's Lounge, here: https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/The-Chairmans-Lounge/Joe-Aston/9781761429767 Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Hockey is a distinguished Australian politician, diplomat, and businessman, best known for serving as Treasurer from 2013 to 2015 under Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Following his time in Canberra, he represented Australia as Ambassador to the United States from 2016 to 2020. Today, he is the founder of Bondi Partners, an advisory and investment firm operating at the pivotal intersection of policy, politics, and the private sector. We dived into next week's U.S. election, his one-on-one experiences with Trump and the potential impact of a Trump or Harris presidency on the global stage. Plus, we break down COVID’s ripple effects, his relationship with Kevin Rudd, Australia’s political landscape, our relationship with China and much more. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chantelle Otten is an award-winning sexologist who specialises in helping individuals and couples improve their sexual health and relationships. We covered all the big topics around sex – from debunking myths to the importance of sexual health, what men often get wrong, the impacts of porn, Chantelle’s work as a sexologist and much more. This is one you don’t want to miss. Season 2 of the Audible Original Series Sex Therapy: Sessions with Chantelle Otten is out now. Listen for free at audible.com.au/sextherapy Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zara Seidler is the co-founder of The Daily Aus, Australia’s largest youth news platform, known for simplifying complex current affairs and making them digestible and suitable for younger audiences. Before committing fully to The Daily Aus, Zara gained experience in politics, lobbying, and journalism. Today, the platform has become the go-to news source for young Australians. Our conversation covered a range of topics, including the origins of The Daily Aus, generational divides, the shifting media landscape, the Murdoch family's influence, addressing controversial issues like the Israel-Palestine conflict, the upcoming US and Australian elections and much more. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fresh off their fourth NRL premiership, I had the privilege of sitting down with two of rugby league's biggest names, Nathan and Ivan Cleary, for a special episode of Straight Talk. Nathan and Ivan walk us through their incredible journey to a historic four-peat, giving us a rare, behind-the-scenes look at everything—from the wild Grand Final celebrations to their responsibility as community role models. We dive into the pressure that comes with elite coaching, how they lead with their own distinct styles, and the mental toughness it takes to stay at the top. Plus, Ivan opens up about his new book, offering deeper insights into his leadership philosophy and how he’s navigated the highs and lows of his career. This episode offers an exclusive look into the mindset of two legends who’ve made history in the game. Purchase Ivan Cleary's new book here: https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9781460717936/not-everything-counts-but-everything-matters/ Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben English is a seasoned journalist, currently serving as the Editor of the Daily Telegraph, one of Australia's leading newspapers. With a career spanning over three decades, he has extensive experience in the media industry, covering major national and international stories. We had an interesting conversation about the current state of Australian media, the authoritative power of search engines and social media powerhouses, the legendary Packer/Murdoch rivalry, his work relationship with Lachlan Murdoch, insights into the US and Australian election, and much more. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Hamilton is an Australian comedian who made a remarkable transformation from former mushroom kingpin to a rising star in the comedy scene. Andrew Hamilton thought he had life figured out: a beautiful fiancée, a successful career in PR, his popular pizza restaurant Brooklyn Crispy, two beloved dogs, and a thriving side business supplying magic mushrooms and LSD to eager Sydneysiders. But everything came crashing down one night when the police raided his Surry Hills home. After serving time in prison, Andrew emerged a changed man, determined to rebuild his life. Channeling his experiences, he found his true calling in comedy, using humour as a way to process his past and create a fresh start. We discussed Andrew’s privileged upbringing, his struggle with addiction, his successful career in PR, and his time in prison. Along the way, he shared outrageous and often hilarious stories that captured both the highs of success and the lows of hitting rock bottom. We also discussed his new book and his future works in comedy. Purchase Andrew's new book 'The Profound Benefits of a Stint in Prison' here. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yvonne Sampson is a leading Australian sports presenter and journalist, widely recognised for her contributions to rugby league broadcasting. In 2016, Yvonne made history as the first woman to host Channel Nine's State of Origin coverage, marking a significant achievement in Australian sports media. Her deep understanding of the game and engaging on-screen presence have garnered her immense respect and recognition in the industry. In our conversation, we discussed her childhood, her passion for rugby league, navigating a career in a male-dominated field, motherhood, her relationship with her husband, and much more. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arthur Laundy is one of Australia’s most respected publicans and business figures. As the driving force behind Laundy Hotels, a family-owned venture, he oversees a vast portfolio of pubs, hotels, and hospitality venues across the nation. After the tragic passing of his father in 1969, Arthur, then just 28, stepped in to lead the family pub business. What started with two venues has grown into Australia’s largest privately-owned pub group, now boasting over 90 establishments—a testament to his vision and determination. In our conversation, we reflected on the profound loss of his father, his deep passion for the pub industry, and the critical role family has played in his journey. You don’t want to miss the full, untold story of how Arthur and the Laundy family built Australia’s largest pub empire. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cody Simpson is an Australian pop star, songwriter, and competitive swimmer who made the remarkable transition from a thriving music career to competing for Australia at the Commonwealth Games. At just 27, Cody Simpson has already lived an extraordinary life, achieving more than most could ever imagine. We explore his remarkable transition from music stardom to elite swimming, the dark side of LA, his relationship with Olympic champion Emma McKeon, what the future holds for him, and much more. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.   You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.