• 59 minutes 39 seconds
    How to Burn Bright Without Burning Out with Nick Petrie

    Is the way we work actually making us less productive, more stressed and increasingly disconnected from ourselves?

    In this episode of Better Than Yesterday, Osher Gunsberg is joined by performance and workplace expert Nick Petrie to explore why burnout, stress and rumination have become such defining features of modern work — and what we can do about them.

    Nick shares insights from his own experience, including being diagnosed with stomach cancer at just 27 while playing professional rugby in Japan, and explains how the experience taught him about the difference between pressure, stress and rumination. He reveals why our brains can become trapped in cycles of thinking about problems rather than solving them, and how learning to recognise those patterns can help us regain control.

    The conversation also explores the changing world of work and the impact of AI. Rather than necessarily giving us more time, Nick argues that new technology can increase expectations and create an even greater need for boundaries, focus and recovery.

    Nick also introduces a different approach to productivity: “pulse more than hustle.” Instead of trying to operate at maximum intensity all day, Nick explains how alternating between different modes of work, protecting periods of deep focus and understanding when your brain performs at its best can lead to more sustainable performance.

    Osher and Nick also discuss career reinvention, the importance of adapting when the skills that once made you successful are no longer enough, and why learning to switch off may be one of the most important skills in the modern workplace.

    It's a practical conversation about burnout, resilience, productivity, AI, overthinking and the future of work — and how to build a career and life that can actually be sustained.

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    29 September 2026, 5:15 pm
  • 15 minutes 19 seconds
    Four Things You're Not Doing When You're Saying Sorry

    Is there a wrong way to apologise? Well...maybe.

    In this episode, I'm exploring what it really means to say sorry. Drawing on lessons from teaching ethics to my son's school class, plus my experiences with recovery, I'm taking a closer look at why a genuine apology goes far beyond simply saying the words.

    Let me know your thoughts through the links below.

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    27 September 2026, 4:15 pm
  • 47 minutes 12 seconds
    From X Factor Winner To Multi-Platinum Selling Artist: The Struggles Behind Dami Im's Success

    Dami Im one of Australia’s most distinctive and accomplished voices. But there's a deeper story to her success.

    Arriving in Brisbane from South Korea as a nine-year-old, she grew up navigating life between cultures, and eventually went on to win The X Factor Australia and build a hugely successful career as a singer and songwriter. But behind the bright lights and screaming fans was a very human struggle with insecurity, self-doubt and the feeling that perhaps she didn’t quite belong.

    In this conversation, Dami opens up about the people who believed in her when she struggled to believe in herself, including the extraordinary mentorship she received from Dannii Minogue. Dami and Osher discuss about what it means to take ownership of your achievements, the pressure to be perfect, and how the discipline she learned through music has shaped her life.

    Then they go deeper — unpacking growing up as an immigrant in Australia, finding belonging through community and faith, the changing influence of Korean culture around the world, and the lessons Dami wants to pass on to her own children. And perhaps most importantly, they talk about the challenge of building a career and pursuing your passions while also being a mum, and learning that being proud of yourself doesn’t have to mean losing your humility. It’s a really honest conversation about identity, resilience, ambition, family and finding the confidence to say: 'I deserve to be here'.

    Enjoy this chat with Dami Im.

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    22 September 2026, 4:15 pm
  • 28 minutes 20 seconds
    The Death of the Australian Music Industry: Why It's So Hard for Musicians to Make a Living

    What happened to Australian music — and what does its future look like?

    In this deeply personal episode of Better Than Yesterday, Osher Gunsberg takes a passionate look at the changing economics of the music industry and asks what the decline of the traditional music business has meant for Australian artists, audiences and culture.

    Drawing on his decades working across Australian radio, television, live music and the recording industry, Osher traces the transformation from the era of CDs, radio royalties and record-label development to Napster, digital piracy and today's streaming economy. He explores how the business model that once allowed labels to take risks on emerging artists has been replaced by an environment where algorithms, playlists and streaming revenue can make it increasingly difficult for new Australian musicians to break through.

    Osher also looks at the disappearance of major Australian music festivals and the decline of live music venues, arguing that these spaces were about far more than entertainment — they created shared cultural experiences that brought thousands of strangers together. He questions what happens to Australia's cultural identity when there are fewer opportunities for local musicians to develop, perform and connect with audiences.

    It's an in-depth look at the shifting trends in entertainment over the years, and how the internet and streaming has stripped away the ability for artists to make a viable living doing what they love.

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    20 September 2026, 5:15 pm
  • 58 minutes 45 seconds
    How Jason Dunn Still Chose Gratitude After Surviving Multiple Near-Death Experiences

    Do you think you could still feel grateful after breaking 10 ribs and fracturing your skull?

    In this powerful conversation, Jason Dunn opens up about the accidents, fears, failures and life experiences that ultimately forced him to ask a bigger question: What am I actually capable of?

    Jason reflects on surviving multiple serious cycling accidents, and explains how gratitude became a conscious choice rather than simply a feeling. He shares the moment he realised he had been living far below his potential — and why discovering your purpose can become the driving force that helps you push through fear, adversity and setbacks.

    Drawing on Stoic philosophy and lessons from remarkable people throughout history, Jason explores self-mastery, discipline, resilience, vulnerability and the importance of stillness. He challenges the idea that simply surviving hardship automatically makes us stronger, instead describing resilience as the ability to stop seeing an obstacle as a wall and start seeing it as a door.

    He also shares the extraordinary story of confronting his lifelong fear of drowning. Unable to swim a single lap, Jason eventually pushed himself into the water, quit smoking, trained for an Ironman and ultimately completed one of the most demanding endurance challenges imaginable.

    From overcoming fear to avoiding regret, Jason explains why planning, purpose and consistent action can transform the way we approach our lives — and why the greatest risk may be reaching the end of your life wishing you had taken the harder, more meaningful path.

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    15 September 2026, 4:15 pm
  • 11 minutes 32 seconds
    Harry Garside on Strength, Vulnerability and Breaking the Rules of Masculinity

    What does it really mean to be strong? And how much of the way we think about masculinity is something we’ve consciously chosen — rather than simply inherited?

    Harry Garside is an Olympic boxing medallist who has also done ballet, and happens to paint his nails. Two typically juxtaposed traits that saw him both criticised and celebrated when he was thrust into the spotlight at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. In 2024, he joined me for a powerful conversation about masculinity, vulnerability, confidence and the transformative power of discomfort.

    Harry reflects on how boxing gave him a deeper understanding of what his body was capable of, helping him develop self-confidence and a sense of security. He also shares what he has learned from working with young people, particularly the boys who appear the loudest or toughest in the room but may be carrying stories that nobody has taken the time to hear.

    We explore Harry’s fascination with deliberately stepping outside his comfort zone. For more than five years, he has undertaken monthly “uncomfortable challenges” — from going without speaking to improv, makeup and asking strangers for money — using discomfort as a way to learn, grow and challenge himself.

    We also discuss the traditional rules we inherit about what it means to be a man, and whether some of those rules still serve us.

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    13 September 2026, 4:15 pm
  • 45 minutes 4 seconds
    How to Build Unshakeable Confidence and Silence Your Inner Critic with Dr Cindra Kamphoff

    How do you build confidence when the voice in your head keeps telling you that you’re not good enough?

    In this episode, Osher Gunsberg is joined by performance psychologist and mental performance coach Dr Cindra Kamphoff, author of 'The Confidence Habit' and executive performance coach to some of the world's most successful athletes, to explore why even highly successful people can struggle with self-doubt, harsh self-talk and the fear of making mistakes.

    Cindra has worked with NFL players and members of the U.S. track and field team, helping them develop the mental skills to perform under pressure. But the lessons she shares aren't just for athletes—they're for anyone who has ever questioned themselves, replayed a mistake or felt like they should be doing better.

    Cindra explores the difference between our “inner critic” and our “inner coach”, and how learning to recognise and challenge negative thoughts can fundamentally change the way we see ourselves. She also shares practical tools for dealing with self-doubt, including her “truth meter” and three questions designed to help determine whether the stories we tell ourselves are actually true. She also explains why confidence isn't something you're simply born with, but a skill that can be developed, and how to recover from mistakes without allowing them to define your next performance, using her powerful “learn, burn, return” approach.

    From changing negative self-talk to letting go of past failures and learning to trust yourself, this is a practical conversation about turning self-doubt into self-belief and developing the confidence to move forward - even when you don't feel confident.

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    8 September 2026, 5:15 pm
  • 13 minutes 45 seconds
    'Prepare for When, Not If': How to Be Ready for Disaster with Lucy Easthope

    What would you do if the lights suddenly went out and stayed out not for an hour, but for days? Your phone is down to 5% because you've been on TikTok and who knows where the torch is?

    Watching what's been happening in Tibet these last few days has been truly harrowing, and got me reflecting on one of the most powerful conversations I've ever had on this podcast - a conversation with disaster planner Lucy Easthope.

    Lucy has spent more than 20 years preparing governments and communities for some of the worst events imaginable — from floods and fires to bombings, plane crashes and major infrastructure failures. Her message is surprisingly simple: we need to prepare for “when”, not “if” disaster happens.

    In this conversation, Lucy explains why being prepared doesn't mean living in fear, and how a little planning can actually make us feel more calm and resilient. She shares what families can learn from disaster planning, why Australian communities have developed a stronger culture of preparedness, and why we should be having more honest conversations with our children about risk.

    Lucy also challenges one of our most instinctive responses to disaster: sending 'stuff'. After a crisis, our desire to help is powerful, but donated goods can sometimes become more of a hindrance than a help. Lucy explains why cash is often the most useful donation and how organised charities can put resources where they're needed most.

    And then there's panic - despite what movies often show, research suggests people caught in disasters frequently behave responsibly and look after one another. Lucy explains what actually causes panic — and why good information and sensible planning can make such a difference.

    Be sure to check out my full conversation with Lucy - the link is below.

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    6 September 2026, 5:15 pm
  • 48 minutes 5 seconds
    Broadcaster Christian O'Connell on panic attacks, living unscripted and making stronger connections

    What happens when the version of yourself you created to succeed starts getting in the way of actually being yourself?

    In this episode, broadcaster and author Christian O’Connell opens up to Osher Gunsberg about the darker side of the career he built around conversation and connection. Christian reflects on the radio persona he developed early in his career, his obsession with having the funniest show on air, and the moment that carefully constructed identity began to fall apart. In his 40s, he started having severe panic attacks in the one place he had always felt the most comfortable: the radio studio. Eventually, he sought therapy for the first time and discovered that confronting what was happening beneath the surface could change everything. He also packed up and moved his family halfway around the world from England to Australia, sparking initial backlash from radio listeners.

    This conversation explores vulnerability, self-discovery and authentic human connection, including Christian's unconventional experience of physically releasing emotions during a therapy session. Christian also shares his 'WAVES' framework for better conversations, and explains why becoming less defensive, more curious and more present can transform the way we communicate with partners, children, colleagues and ourselves. There are practical tools too, including Christian's experience with breathwork and a simple breathing technique that he uses when he feels anxiety beginning to rise.

    In one of the episode's most moving moments, Christian recalls how a listener named Pete sharing his bowel cancer experience on air led to a 600% rise in the return of bowel screening kits. And Christian reveals that Pete's final message became a guiding principle: “Keep up the humour, don't forget the human.”

    As social media and AI increasingly changing the way we communicate, this conversation is a reminder that the things that make us human — curiosity, vulnerability, humour, presence and genuine connection — may be more important than ever.

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    1 September 2026, 4:15 pm
  • 17 minutes 32 seconds
    What Happens When Kids Stop Reading? Andy Griffiths Has the Answer

    What makes a child want to read? And what happens when we stop trying to make childhood perfect?

    In this episode, Osher Gunsberg looks back on his chat with one of Australia’s most successful children’s authors, Andy Griffiths, the award-winning creative force behind The Day My Bum Went Psycho and the much-loved Treehouse series.

    Andy reflects on his early years as a high school English teacher and the lesson that shaped much of his work: children will engage with reading when we give them something they actually want to read. He explains why books offer children more than literacy — they can open up their imagination, expand their understanding of the world and provide a private escape from the rules and expectations of everyday life.

    Andy also reveals how watching children choose books helped inspire the unconventional visual style of his Treehouse series of books, and how his creative partnership with illustrator Terry Denton grew from a willingness to embrace silliness, experimentation and ideas that might otherwise have been considered too strange.

    The conversation also covers parenting, where Andy challenges the pressure to create the “perfect childhood”. Drawing on his own experience raising two daughters, he argues that allowing children to experience some adversity can help them develop resilience, and that 'good enough parenting' really can be good enough.

    It's a funny, thoughtful and surprisingly profound conversation about books, childhood, imagination, parenting and the importance of giving kids permission to explore the world on their own terms.

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    30 August 2026, 4:15 pm
  • 49 minutes 50 seconds
    The Climate Crisis Is Real, But Giving Up Isn’t an Option with Amanda McKenzie

    Climate change can feel so enormous that it’s difficult to know where to start or how to stay engaged without becoming overwhelmed.

    In this episode of Better Than Yesterday, Osher Gunsberg speaks with climate campaigner and Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie about the realities of climate change, the progress Australia has already made, and how we can continue fighting for a better future without burning ourselves out.

    Amanda has spent more than 20 years working on climate change, and she reflects on what it’s like to dedicate your life to an issue that can feel almost impossibly large. She opens up about the loss of her friend and climate scientist Professor Will Steffen, and the emotional toll of witnessing environmental change while raising young children.

    The conversation also explores Amanda’s idea of “stubborn optimism” -  a deliberate choice to acknowledge the seriousness of the climate crisis while still believing that people can work together to create meaningful change.

    Amanda and Osher also discuss Australia’s rapid growth in renewable energy, why the economics of clean energy are changing the conversation, the potential for Australia to become a global leader in green industries, and why progress can sometimes be difficult to see while you’re living through it.

    Amanda also shares practical ways to protect yourself from doom-scrolling and climate burnout. And if you’re wondering what you can actually do about climate change, Amanda’s advice is simple: start small - because you don’t have to save the world on your own. You just have to find your part of the puzzle.

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    25 August 2026, 4:15 pm
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