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Better Than Yesterday: Osher Günsberg
The true meaning of courage and facing the brutal cost of war, plus some solid SurvivorAU stories (w/ Mark Wales)
When it comes to foreign policy, sometimes a credible military consequence is required to ensure that diplomacy can work.
Keeping peace between nations is vital, however sometimes the decision to move to violence is made by someone else - and then a government has few options on the table.
But what happens when our government’s decision to send our military into a war zone under the auspices of protecting our country no longer serves us?
Today Osher speaks with Mark Wales, a former SAS commander who’s probably going to surprise you with his views on national security.
Mark joined the army at 17 and eventually made ten deployments, including Timor-Leste, Solomon Islands, Iraq, Afghanistan, Fiji and Lebanon.
This conversation dives deep on sleep, mental health, gun violence, trauma, parenting, and life in the military.
And don’t worry. Osher absolutely asked him about winning Survivor.
Mark is not only a fascinating man whose geopolitical knowledge is super-sharp, he’s a fabulous author. He’s penned a best-selling autobiography “Survivor”, and his latest book “Outrider” is a dystopian sci-fi novel set in the woody forests of Victoria.
If you like this episode be sure to check out Osher’s chat with former SEAL team sniper Brandon Tyler Webb, a cracking conversation with fellow Brisbanian Paul De Gelder and for the other side of things, legendary war correspondent Michael Ware.
Every episode ever is available at oshergunsberg.com, where you can also leave Osher a message (even a voice mail)
More episodes
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35:31|Emma Watkins joins Osher to discuss her post-Wiggles PhD, her new children’s entertainment project Emma Memma and her work on the ABC show Teenage Boss - which is streaming now on iView. Tickets for the Dec. 8 Story Club Xmas Spectacular at the Comedy Store are here. For more, subscribe to the substack.
Finding success while following passion and friendship with Blair Joscleyne (Top Gear/Mighty Car Mods)
19:51|Blair Joscleyne aka MOOG is one half of the global Aussie YouTube phenomenon “Mighty Car Mods”. He’s also a prolifically talented multi-instrumentalist and composer who has created the soundtracks to hundreds, even thousands of commercials that you could probably whistle. The Maccas jingle? If you heard it in Australia, Blair played it. Same guy. Not only that Blair is one of the hosts of Top Gear Australia, and alongside JLP and Beau Ryan they are taking this legendary show that was never really about cars and turning it on its head. For more, subscribe to the substack
The secret to Ada Nicodemou’s 30-plus year career on screen
01:01:03|Think for a moment, what would happen if you had a dream career, pilot, engineer, drummer - and your family absolutely did not back you in what you were trying to achieve. You’re a teenager. They have your best interests at heart, they love you and just want success for you, but you might have other ideas. Would you try anyway? That’s pretty much what happened with Ada Nicodemou. For 31 years she’s been on Australian screens, and now she’s on our bookshelves with the release of a new series of books titled “Mia Megastar”, aimed kids 8 and up. Today she speaks with Osher about her path to success, what keeps her successful, and why books are so important for growing minds. Get in touch with Osher here -> Better Than Yesterday with Osher Günsberg | Substack
Sylvia Jeffreys on the juggle and the guilt of kids and a career
15:07|A few highlights from when Osher spoke with Sylvia Jefferies, an incredibly accomplished journalist and presenter, originally from Brisbane Australia. Sylvia has a matter-of-fact, get-after-it vibe about her which makes the career success she’s had make perfect sense. Sylvia is very open about how she juggles family life and home life, also how she has found particularly interesting ways to deliberately work emotional regulation into her day so she’s able to go back home to her kids after a day exposing herself to the unedited grim realities of the world. For more, subscribe to the substack
Ensuring the hammer of AI is a tool that builds, not a hammer that demolishes. w/ Dr Matt Agnew
01:02:54|Here’s Osher’s three favourite facts about Dr Matt Agnew: He’s not that kind of doctor. He’s lovely. He has a PhD in Astrophysics. Matt has been busy, heading back to uni to study AI - and on the back of that he’s written a new book “IS MY PHONE READING MY MIND?” What he has to say today about AI, about the powerfully transformative effect it is already having on education, and democracy - in both positive and negative ways - might just chill you to the bone and give you goosebumps at the same time. This was recorded a week out from the 2024 US election, so please understand why I’m Osher isn’t commenting on something which is now glaringly obvious to us as a community. He’s in the past. It’s simple time travel. And there’s no better person to speak to about that than Dr Matt Agnew. Enjoy the show. Subscribe to the substack here
What does Abbie Chatfield want in a relationship?
21:31|As far as Osher is concerned, Abbie Chatfield to be one of the most exciting figures in Australian media today. They have a long history together, so at the time Abbie and Osher spoke, she was single and feeling hopeless in love. Things are very different for her today, so listening back to these moments will 100% warm your heart. The full video of this conversation is here. ** next live gig is “STORY CLUB” on November 6th. Tickets available here.
A surprising amount of Shit You Should Care About (with SYSCA Founder Lucy Blakiston)
01:02:34|In her mid 20’s and the Founder of the phenomenally successful independent news outlet “Shit You Should Care About”, Lucy Blakiston came by Osher’s house to talk about the tragedy of Liam Payne, why humour is vital when reporting the news, and how jealousy can be a super-valuable signal (if you use it correctly). Lucy’s new book “Make it Make Sense” is out now. ** STORY CLUB RETURNS! ** November 6th , Comedy Store. Tickets Here For exclusive content and more episodes, subscribe here.
Exploring Legacy and Passion with Robert Irwin
19:20|What would it be like to lose your father when you were still a toddler, yet in many ways come to know him intimately through the ways people - sometimes strangers - told you how he made them feel? That’s the absolute reality for Robert Irwin who joins Osher for this episode. They talk about conservation, photography, having a Dad who was a super-hero and Robert reveals the true role of Terri Irwin in the legacy of this famous conservation dynasty.To listen, search Better Than Yesterday where you get your podcasts or click the link in my stories.For more, subscribe to Better Than Yesterday with Osher Günsberg | Substack
Mature and Immature masculinity with Olympic Boxer Harry Garside
46:29|Harry Garside is an Olympic Athlete who’s represented Australia in the sport of Boxing multiple times. In this episode, Osher and Harry speak about masculinity, personal growth, and the power of mentorship for young men. If you’ve never stepped in the ring, hearing Harry speak of the primal nature of combat sports and the transformative power of pushing oneself outside of comfort zones is truly mesmerising. Harry’s memoir “The Good Fight” is out now. To read Osher’s further writing on masculinity and stay in touch, visit Better Than Yesterday with Osher Günsberg | Substack