Straight Talk with Mark Bouris

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.

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/sextherapyFollow 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.

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.

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.