Just look out for it soon
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What makes creative Sydneysiders tick? Getting below the surface with the people who make great things happen in our city, the people who create companies and radio stations, paintings and music, buildings, landscapes and so much more. Hosted by Matt Levinson.
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Your starting line doesn't have to define you. My upbringing wasn't great. But I remember thinking - I have to, and I CAN - break the cycle. That single thought changed my life. At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the violence and chaos of my family council house without a penny to my name, determined to rewrite my story. By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brand ...
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Could we end homelessness? Charity boss says it's a 'political choice' not to
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Homelessness is up 14% this last year alone, with more than 300,000 homeless people according to latest figures.But, can we really end homelessness? This charity boss believes so, and says it's a political choice not to.P3 is a charity than improves the lives and communities of tens of thousands of people a year, by delivering services to support p…
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Dana White said to me: 'You don't know what you've just done' - Mark Weir interview
2:44:39
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== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday ==This week's guest is a true pioneer of mixed martial arts.Mark 'the Wizard' Weir etched his name into the history books with the fastest ever knockout on his UFC debut, the first time the promotion came to the UK in 2002.That night, UFC boss Dana white told Mark: ‘Years from now you remember th…
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Robin Ince - on Ricky Gervais, his upbringing, ADHD, working with Professor Brian Cox and more
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== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday == This week's guest is comedian, poet, performer and one half of BBC Radio 4's The Infinite Monkey Cage, Robin Ince. We talked about everything from his love of books, comedy and science through to his time on tour with Ricky Gervais, working with Professor Brian Cox, his upbringing, family and …
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Danièle Hromek is at the centre of an incredible moment. Creative, entrepreneurial, full of ideas, she’s right in the centre of a profound shift that’s underway towards a growing appreciation of Country, and of connecting and designing with Country, and it’s changing the way we think about and plan our cities. What I love about her work is the flui…
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Alex Bourne - on starring in 'the most hateable TV show ever made'
1:25:07
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== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday ==This week's guest is super prime estate agent Alex Bourne (joined on and off by his lovely dog, Noodles). - Oh, and forgive the pesky gremlins and the weird intro glitch, thank you, please -Alex had a starring role in Netflix's Buying London, giving viewers a glimpse at the houses and the prope…
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1
Could there be a sequel to Cool Runnings? Tal Stokes on life, hating the film he inspired and more
2:38:07
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== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday == Dudley 'Tal' Stokes was the captain and founding member of the Jamaican bobsled team the hit Disney movie Cool Runnings was based on. He competed at the 1988, 1992, 1994 and the 1998 Winter Olympics, and after his competitive career, became a coach and the president of the Jamaican Bobsleigh F…
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== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday == You know he loves a Chinese. You know he loves a bosh. In this interview, filmed at Chariots fish and chip shop in Romford (NOT ESSEX RICH, you blithering idiot), you'll get to know the real Big John. He dismisses the idea of being an influencer, and that's one of the reasons I wanted to have …
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1
Lazlow: on GTA, the Mt. Chiliad mystery, universe building, UK comedy TV and more
1:04:53
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== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday! == This week’s conversation is with American writer, producer, director, voice actor, and radio personality Lazlow. In a fitting request, I was asked that this episode was audio-only. Alongside his radio work, Lazlow is perhaps best known for his in-game radio shows and ads across the Grand Thef…
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James Bradley grew up a couple of streets back from the beach, and it never let him go. Despite stints selling newspapers in a pub and working in a video shop, as a judge’s associate and a solicitor, it’s his career as a writer that’s given voice to that deep and abiding love and fascination with the ocean. With 10 books to his name and at least as…
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James Forrester: on his rugby career, forced retirement, entrepreneurship and Gloucester-Hartpury
2:23:18
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== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday! == Today's episode is with one of the most exciting and unorthodox talents rugby has ever seen, Gloucester and England backrower James Forrester. James is now the CEO of Gloucester-Hartpury - reigning Premier 15s champions. Having burst onto the scene for Gloucester, in 2002, at just 21, Forrest…
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Zak O'Sullivan: the road to Formula 1 for upcoming British star
2:09:27
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*-- Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday! --* Today's episode is with 19 year old British racing driver Zak O'Sullivan, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Zak currently races in the 2024 FIA Formula 2 Championship with ART Grand Prix, and has his sights set firmly on racing in Formula 1. With only 20 seats available each season, you hav…
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Zach Rausch: "Smartphones are killing our children - but we CAN fix this"
1:49:43
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-- Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday! -- Nearly 40% of teenage girls in the UK who spend over 5 hours on social media per day score as clinically depressed. Anxiety diagnoses among 18–25-year-olds have increased by 92%. Self-harm and suicide rates continue to increase around the world, beginning to spike in line with the rise of pho…
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Wynne Evans: on success, GoCompare, the person that changed his life, being hated by millions & more
3:08:48
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-- Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday! -- *Please note, we talk about depression and the big S word for a short period of time. Also, Wynne does say the C word once - so probably avoid watching/listening with kids.* Wynne Evans was an opera star for 18 years before he was cast in 2009 in the GoCompare ads, one of the most famous ads …
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Cath Dwyer is a radio maker and journalist who’s helped shape the culture of radio here. A former Young Journalist of the Year and Human Rights medal winner, she founded the ABC’s pioneering participatory journalism project ABC Open, and has worked in radio at all levels from community stations through to Radio National and Triple J. At a time when…
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Ellie Simmonds: 'being rejected at birth is a big reason why I've been successful'
1:05:45
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-- Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday! -- Ellie Simmonds was awarded an MBE at the age of 13 - and still holds the record for being the youngest ever recipient. She now has an OBE, five Paralympic gold medals, eight World Championship gold medals and 10 European Championship golds under her belt. In this interview with swimming star,…
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Nina Hughes: on trans women in boxing, defending her world title at 41, Jake Paul vs Tyson and more
1:09:14
1:09:14
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Undefeated professional boxer Nina Hughes, born in Essex, UK, became bantamweight world champion at the age of 39 - having come back into the sport and only gone pro after having two children. Nina spoke about everything from Ebanie Bridges and Shannon Courtenay ducking her, US Boxing's decision to allow trans women to box biological women - callin…
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Brian Cox: on God, Trump, cannabis laws, Succession, the patriarchy and more
1:13:49
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The second series of interview podcast The Starting Line kicks off with an exclusive conversation with star of screen, stage and film, two-time Olivier Award winner Brian Cox. Recorded in his north London home around new year, Cox spoke about everything from religion, politics, cannabis, the actor he’d most like to act alongside, whether he'll repr…
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Series 2 trailer - The Starting Line is back!
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The Starting Line Podcast is BACK. The first episode of series 2 is being released next Monday - Monday 29th April - and this time, you can choose to watch on YouTube or listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. You won't want to miss it - it's an exclusive conversation with star of stage, screen and film, Brian Cox, record…
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Brooke Webb is larger than life. From sneaking in to a Nirvana gig through a broken window (and landing right on the stage, in front of Dave Grohl’s massive right calf), to touring Sonic Youth. Running away to join the circus through to her current gig as Chief Executive of the Sydney Writers Festival. She’s lived a hundred different lives and reli…
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Georgia Weir founded the life changing community running program Deadly Runners. She competed in the New York, Gold Coast, North Coast and Chicago marathons. But she wasn’t always a runner, in fact she came to the sport as an absolute last resort, having lived through some incredibly tough times - the perfect prep for the high highs of running at t…
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Belqis Youssofzay - architect - ep 19
1:02:05
1:02:05
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Belqis Youssofzay is an architect who grew up in Afghanistan and India, moving to Sydney’s central coast as a teenager. From dreamy photography to the Powerhouse renewal, her work reflects that unique journey - this fascinating conversation covers so much ground, from Muriel’s Wedding and swimming cossies to the role of museums and culture in socie…
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Kenny Yong-soo Son - designer / restaurateur - ep 18
1:03:26
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Kenny Yong-soo Son makes stunningly handcrafted metal objects from metal, concrete and sometimes timber, beautifully shaped spoons, a cup, dustpan and broom, a light shade, even a starkly geometric bookmark. If that wasn’t enough, he runs one of Sydney’s much loved restaurants, Sang By Mabasa, pushing the thinking around Korean food. His work is ex…
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Mel Greblo - Scriibed / Banksia Academy - ep 17
1:02:12
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Mel Greblo is a startup founder and CEO working to help women rebuild their lives after family violence. At least a quarter of Australian women are affected by this insidious and deeply destructive form of abuse, which so often leaves victim survivors financially impoverished with battered self esteem, a tough base to build a new life. Helping them…
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K*nt and the Gang: a Christmas Special!
1:18:51
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***Parental advisory and all that*** In short - if you don't like bad language, or jokes some might consider vulgar, this is not the Christmas special for you. As I say in the intro, there are plenty of other podcasts out there. You know, including many chart-topping podcasts listened to by millions of people about real-life terrible things like se…
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Behind the Scenes: bonus episode part 2
1:36:43
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In this final episode of series one, we take you behind-the-scenes of the second half of interviews in this chart-topping first series, with some of the most successful people in the country, from world record breakers to multi-millionaire OBEs. Join me, Rich Leigh, and, once again, please welcome friend of the show, listener and one of my best fri…
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In this second bonus episode, we take you behind-the-scenes of the podcast, answering listener questions and a few posed by returning special guest, listener and one of my best friends of 25+ years, (Ashley) Stokes. We speak about why ‘now’ for me to start this show, and how a certain Comedy Dave gave me a kind and gentle nudge, despite concerns th…
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Behind the Scenes: bonus episode part 1
1:16:34
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In this bonus episode, we take you behind-the-scenes of the first half of interviews in this first series, with some of the most successful people in the country, from Olympic gold medallists to multi-millionaire OBEs. From revealing the name of the now-famous undercover cop Levi Roots claims set him up and landed him in prison, to sharing the stor…
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Susie Chan: 'you are NEVER too old to change your life'
1:37:32
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"You are NEVER too old to change your life" - and this final guest interview of the first series could just be the episode that changes yours. Those are the words of today's guest - the world record breaking Susie Chan, named “the number 1 runner to follow on Instagram” by Runners World and the Evening Standard. Peloton instructor Susie is an endur…
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Ricky Simandjuntak - ONEFOUR - ep 16
1:02:00
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Ricky Simandjuntak has had a hand in so much that is good about music in our city right now. Sampa The Great, The Kid Laroi, Becca Hatch, ONEFOUR - four entirely different acts, all global stars or stars in the making - and you can see him front and centre in the new Netflix doco Against All Odds, as ONEFOUR’s manager. I started talking with Ricky …
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Charlie Mullins OBE: 'People say I'm old fashioned. A dinosaur. I also started from nothing and sold a company for £147m'
1:39:45
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This week's episode is with Charlie Mullins OBE, the founder of Pimlico Plumbing and the self-styled ‘most famous plumber in the world’. Charlie was born in 1952 in north London to a working class family. In his own words, they were very poor, and he remembers going to school with holes in his clothes. He began working from the age of 8 or 9, and t…
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Dan Norton: the greatest try scorer in rugby sevens history
1:27:57
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Olympic silver medallist Dan Norton, born in Gloucester, is the the all-time record try scorer in the World Rugby Sevens Series, crossing the tryline 358 times for England over the course of 92 tournaments, totalling an enormous 1804 points in total (including 7 conversions - a 100% kicking record, he tells me!). Norton bowed out of the game as the…
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Sean Conway: 'If you think you can, you're right. If you think you can't? You're right'
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Ultra-endurance athlete Sean Conway, born in Zimbabwe, has been the subject of documentaries aired on Discovery and Amazon Prime. He is the author of six books and a highly sought-after motivational speaker. Multiple world record holder Sean has: Cycled the length of Britain. Sailed the length of Britain. He’s swam the length of Britain. He’s cycle…
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Mike McCarthy, Baton of Hope: 'If suicide is preventable... why are we not preventing it?'
1:35:59
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- Content warning: suicide - For the first time this series, we're going to put a content warning. In this episode, we talk about suicide, grief and loss, and if that's not for you, that's entirely understandable. ---------- Suicide is the biggest cause of death of people under the age of 35. 4x the number of people die by suicide than in road acci…
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Kelda Wood MBE: after being crushed under 1 TONNE (2200lbs) of hay, her Olympic dreams were shattered. What she's done since - the first adaptive rower to row the Atlantic, helping survivors of the Manchester ...
2:26:35
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After being crushed under a 1 TONNE (2200lbs) bale of hay, her Olympic dreams were shattered. But what Kelda Wood MBE has done since that life-changing accident is nothing short of incredible. From being the first adaptive rower to row the Atlantic - solo - to helping survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing and many others living with life changi…
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Jess Hill has almost unbelievable stores of nerve. A teen actor who convinced advertisers to get on board with a Dolly meets Time magazine startup at 19, she’s made a career of doing things few of us have the courage for. Fearless and tenacious in pursuit of a story, she’s rigorous, passionate and deeply affecting in the telling of them. Despite st…
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Christian Leroy Duncan: 'the UFC feels like home'
1:16:57
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Former Cage Warriors champion Christian Leroy Duncan is a 28 year old mixed martial artist from Gloucester, UK, with a pro record of 8-1-0. 7 of his wins have been stoppages, with six knockouts and one submission. Christian fights out of MMA pioneer Mark Weir's Range Martial Arts Academy, and made his UFC debut in March 2023, bringing his unique an…
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GoCompare founder Hayley Parsons OBE: "I wanted to create the MOST annoying ad possible!"
1:47:23
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Coming from a council estate in Wales to creating a multi-billion pound industry and two of the most famous brands in the UK, Hayley Parsons OBE is a one-of-a-kind entrepreneur. In this rare interview, Hayley talks about how she created Confused.com while working at Admiral, and how being overlooked for the CEO role was "the best thing that ever ha…
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Andrew Bloch: Lord Sugar's PR advisor and Mr Black Book himself on entrepreneurship, developing The Apprentice and working at the agency that inspired Absolutely Fabulous
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Who do Lord Sugar, Steven Bartlett and the Spice Girls have in common? The answer is Andrew Bloch, Mr Black Book himself. Public relations is all around us - every time you open a newspaper or social media platform, the fingerprints of PR are there, building and protecting reputations. Andrew is a PR expert. He started his career in the agency that…
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Topher Boehm - Wildflower brewer - ep 14
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Topher Boehm took the risky move of going foraging for native flowers to create the yeast for his beers instead of getting a typical off-the-shelf starter, and the results are truly imaginative and special. His story starts in Dallas Texas, with stops in Rome and northern Spain, and an unfolding love affair with Sydney. It takes in cosmology and bi…
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Shabir Haidary: 'I thought I was going to die fleeing Afghanistan. I was a lost soul until I found boxing - and I'll bring the world title to Gloucester.'
1:25:44
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The fourth episode of The Starting Line podcast, with undefeated professional boxer Shabir Haidary. Shabir fled Afghanistan aged just 12, finding himself in Gloucester in the UK after a harrowing journey in which he admits he thought he’d die numerous times, having witnessed things ‘no child should’, both in Afghanistan and on his long and terrifyi…
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James Cracknell OBE: 'The Olympics was something I did, not who I am'
1:41:10
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The third episode of The Starting Line podcast, with the inspirational James Cracknell OBE. Two-time Olympic gold medal winner. Six time world champion. Junior world champion. Add the extensive and impressive list of feats since his Olympic rowing days, which includes rowing the Atlantic with Ben Fogle, finishing as the fastest ever Brit at the tim…
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Marnie Swindells: Winning 'The Apprentice was a beautiful disaster'
1:02:51
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The second episode of The Starting Line podcast, with the brilliant Marnie Swindells, winner of the most recent series of the BBC’s flagship business show, The Apprentice, and the founder of boxing gym business Bronx LDN. Join us as we go behind the scenes on the show, discuss Marnie’s early life, her challenges, her ambitions, her motivations and …
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Levi Roots: 'The police set me up and sent me to prison'
1:24:25
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The one, the only, Mr Levi Roots. Listen as we talk about Levi's journey, from the boy that couldn't read or write to becoming one of the most recognisable names in the UK. Levi's story is as winding as it is inspiring - and I promise you, you don't know the half of it. = About The Starting Line = From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic viole…
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From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional. At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so…
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Kenny Sabir - music maker / tech leader - ep 13
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Kenny Sabir was playing a violin three-and-a-half. Programming a computer at four. He started Sydney’s Elefant Traks record label and the label’s flagship band The Herd; and he’s a software engineer who’s worked at Bell Labs, IBM’s Watson Lab, the Garvan and now leads R&D for the $100m livestock management startup AgriWebb. He’s pretty extraordinar…
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Shaun Christie-David - restaurateur - ep 12
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Shaun Christie-David has created some of Sydney’s best places to eat. In the infamously precarious world of running restaurants, he’s making opportunities for refugees and people seeking asylum, Aboriginal people, people who’ve dealt with addiction and a range of disadvantage to find their way into good work. It’s practical and extraordinary work, …
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Meagan Loader is one of the most influential people in music and radio. A key player in the creation of FBI radio and Double J, she’s nudged and shaped the careers of countless talented people. Meagan is someone who creates space for people to succeed and succeed on a large scale, she’s mischievous and fun, empathetic and encouraging, she taught me…
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Jess Cook is an absolute force, one of those people who electrifies a room. She’s a leader in Sydney’s creative community with a record of building real things - particularly the big welcoming room and stage that is 107 Projects in Redfern - but go back and she’s been involved in countless shows, performances, projects and festivals. When I first m…
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Ben Peake is an architect, responsible for playful, clever and creative work like Annandale’s photogenic Concrete Blonde house and Blacktown’s Woodcroft neighbourhood centre. He writes about architecture. He’s won awards. But he’s also kicked against the edges of the profession, pushing for change, including campaigning for the iconic Sirius buildi…
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Episode 8 - Sacha Coles - landscape architect
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Sacha Coles has left his stamp on some of Sydney’s most interesting and talked about public spaces, from the Goods Line, Tumbalong Park and Pirrama Park, to the new Harbour Bridge bike ramp. He’s been deeply involved in shaping the conversation around landscape architecture and urban design, so I’ve always wanted to know more about what makes him t…
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