Straight Talk with Mark Bouris

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.

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.

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.

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/9781761429767Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter & YouTube.  You can subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e7C8akgj.

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.

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.

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.

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.