Terrible Happy Talks

When I sat down with Kane Horsepool, the artist  also known as Trait, we didn't just talk art; we ventured into the depths of personal growth, the struggle for authenticity, and the profound effects of integrating one's deepest values with creative pursuits. Kane’s candid reflections on mental health, his commitment to being a present husband and father, and his artistic process offer a stark view into the life of someone...

At 60, John's tale is one of enduring passion, a chronicle that zigzags the drainage ditches of Blacktown to his personal vert ramp, with detours into the realms of music, friendship, skate shops, and even the glittering world of jewellery. This episode promises a rich tapestry of stories that reveal the heart and soul of skateboarding through generations, whilst inadvertently highlighting  the evolution of Australian society ...

Buckle up for a soul-stirring session as former sponsored skateboarder and current World Skate judge Russell Grundy takes us through a mind-expanding traverse of the skatepark known as life.
Russell unveils his own version of that profound connection between the skate life and personal growth. We explore the emotional richness of scaling the peaks of elation on tours with the likes of Billabong and Channel V to finding beauty ...

As I sat down with Tim Levinson, the artist known as Urthboy, I felt the anticipation of unearthing the layers that compose the vibrant tapestry of the music industry. The Managing Director of Elefant Traks and a pivotal figure in Australian Hip-Hop, Tim lays bare his artistic journey, from scribbling poetry in the Blue Mountains as a child, to co-founding music collective  The Herd. Our exchange traverses the resilience required t...

Join me as I sit down with the remarkably knowledgeable Jim Turvey, skate historian and zine aficionado, for a captivating exploration of the gritty heart of Australian skate culture. In a storytelling tapestry weaved with personal anecdotes and historical threads, Jim takes us on a ride through the pivotal moments of his life, starting with his family's move to Newcastle and leading into the DIY dynamics of skate zine culture...

When life knocks you down, how do you pull yourself back up? Sid Tapia, the artist and skateboarder with a story that stitches together the fabric of resilience, faith, and creativity knows all about that. Join us as Sid opens up about the nexus of his art and skateboarding, revealing how injuries became his motivation to maintain peak physical condition. His gym routine is not just about building strength but also fortifying his s...

The one and only Darren (Rudolph) Stapleton joins myself, and this week's co-host, Ti Coleing for an in-depth exchange about his life so far. A trailblazer of the street skating scene from the late 80s, Darren unpacks his journey from Ho Ho's to guitar riffs, and what it was like to witness the cultural revolution that propelled street skating into the spotlight in the early 90s. Darren outlines his musical endeavours, th...

Embark on a journey with the enigmatic James McMillan, where we sweat under the Mullumbimby sun, surrounded by the verdure of sprawling cow pastures, and discuss the vibrant world of art, and surfing. James, an artist, author, and the mastermind behind the thriving Byron Bay Surf Festival, delves into life since our last exchange back in 2021 - which I will add - was the most listened to episode of that year.
We traverse the re...

When Jed Smith sat across from me in Byron Bay, the air was thick with stories of transformation and the hum of cicadas. Our conversation swept from the tangible - dietary shifts post-concussion, to the profound - the interplay of meditation and psychedelics on our mental landscapes. Jed, returning for his third candid exchange, peels back the layers of his evolution from a journalist to a podcast co-host, offering a treasure trove...

I'm stoked to bring you a conversation with Chad Caruso, a dude who embodies what it means to push yourself to the limits. Chad's story is a wild ride from the streets of New York to the Guinness Book of World Records, and he doesn't just tell his story; he inspires us to redefine our own limits.

This episode has us cruising down memory lane and the vast American landscape with Chad as he recounts his cross-...

Last episode for 2023. Steve is back on the show for a second time this year. Checkout our first episode #202. Unlike our first episode (which was an online recording), this week's episode is in real life. En la vida real.

I asked Steve to write his own bio:

“I try to see life as a series of experiences that challenge or change me in a positive way. I’m kinda excited about getting older and thinking back to...

Poppy Starr Olsen is an artist and skateboarder. In this week's episode, Poppy shares about her early years growing up in Bondi, her family's decision to move to Newcastle, her unique education journey, reflections on her experience at the Tokyo Olympics, her current focus on qualifying for the Paris Olympics, being considered a veteran of women's competitive skateboarding at just 23 years of age, her desire to insti...

Nathan Keeley will be riding his skateboard, unassisted, over 300 kilometers from Port Macquarie to Newcastle in the name of suicide prevention. Nathan has osteoarthritis in his knees.
In this week's episode, Nathan shares about his early days growing up, the challenges he faced at home, finding skateboarding as a place of solace, family separation, being separated from his son, his battles with drug and alcohol addiction...

Marley Rae is a sponsored Australian skateboarder, occasional competitor, university student, retail worker, and purveyor of good vibes. In this week's episode, Marley discusses his part in the skate movie 'Memory Box,' his foray into Paris Olympics qualifying competitions, his connection with Bar Beach Bowl, his affection for the Newcastle skate scene, why he takes pride in his unique style, the significance of auth...

Nathan Ho is a breath-work and cold exposure facilitator, clarevoiyant, school teacher, article writer for SLAM Magazine, author, and lifelong skateboarder. In this week's episode, Nathan discusses the physiological adaptations that occur during conscious breathing, the benefits of managing the fight or flight response during cold exposure, discovering his highly sensitive response to the vibrations of others, his challenging ...

A laid-back episode this week, with no interview, just some friendly banter with an old friend, a past guest, a Beatles enthusiast, and a skate aficionado – Mr. Jeremy Rowling.

Jeremy and I delve into our recent experiences at the Sydney leg of Street League, the Red Bull demos in Sydney, the contenders for Skater of the Year (SOTY), the Rob Pace part in the new Santa Cruz video, David Reyes' "My War," the c...

Sam Larkins is a sponsored skateboarder hailing from Queensland, Australia, and now residing in Sydney. Sam joins me this week for an in-depth conversation about his life so far. Sam delves into his family's basketball background, his decision to pursue skateboarding, the hurdles his family encountered while establishing an indoor skate park, and his relocation to Sydney in pursuit of his skateboarding passion. He also shares ...

Bobbie Poulton is a former elite CrossFit athlete, former women's national Rugby Union player, entrepreneur, truth seeker, and expectant mother. This week, Bobbie joins me for a face to face chat about her life so far. Bobbie discusses her early years growing-up in rural England, the challenges of growing up in a separated family, her innate desire to travel the world, the profound impact of practicing Vipassana (silent medita...

This week Sally Felice (Affleck) joins me for an in-person conversation to share about her life so far. We record at her home in the eastern suburbs of Sydney on a balmy spring evening with the sound of crickets in the background (which I discovered was near impossible to edit out, but it slowly becomes ambient noise). Sally discusses her early life growing up in the northern beaches area of Sydney, the challenges she faced as a ch...