The Charles Kovess Show

In this week's episode, I challenge the dangerous obsession with perfection, especially in our expectations of politicians, partners, professionals, personnel, and priests. Prompted by ongoing reactions to Donald Trump, I explore how Trump Derangement Syndrome has blinded many to his achievements simply because he doesn't fit a moral ideal. This same pursuit of perfection undermines our relationships, our workplaces, and ...

In this week’s episode, I explore why passionate leaders are essential for building great businesses. 

If leaders lack passion, their teams simply can’t find the spark to deliver extraordinary results. 

Drawing on current political examples, I contrast Peter Dutton’s passionless leadership and the disastrous election results for the Liberal Party with Donald Trump and Bobby Kennedy Jr., who both embody the courage that comes from dee...

In this week's episode, I reflect on the importance of freedom, especially during this significant time around Anzac Day. 

I dive deep into why the ANZACs fought and why their sacrifices matter more than ever. 

I explore how freedom is under attack in many subtle and not-so-subtle ways: unreasonable laws, corrupt judges, government overspending, 15-minute cities, climate lies, bodily autonomy violations, and restrictions on free...

In this week’s episode, I tackle the rise of the “I’m offended” crowd - a devious and calculated game that threatens your freedom of speech.

 This manipulative strategy has surged over the past decade, weaponising feelings to silence those with differing views. I break down nine practical responses you can use when someone plays this game with you. From the dismissive “And?” to more playful or pointed replies, I urge you to be prepa...

In this 225th episode, which also marks the fifth anniversary of the Show, I reflect on one of the biggest questions we all face: will you choose truth or comfort? The recent announcement of a federal election in Australia sparked my further exploration of how our values shape our choices — especially when it comes to government spending, personal integrity, and national sustainability. 

More than half of Australian adults are on th...

In this episode, I share my recent travels to Ireland and Hungary, where I pursued my mission to promote industrial hemp as a solution to Ireland’s looming €8 billion emissions penalty from the EU. Speaking at the Hemp Horizons Conference in Dublin, I outlined five practical ways hemp can help reduce greenhouse gases while revitalising Irish agriculture. From uniforms for first responders to sustainable construction materials, the ...

In this episode, just after Valentine's Day, I focus on the extraordinary potential of industrial hemp and its power to revolutionise our world. 

As I prepare to travel to Europe to speak at the Hemp Horizons Conference in Dublin, Ireland on 27 February, I share powerful, startling, provocative insights into how hemp can solve major global challenges. (Go to hemphorizons.org)

Australia faces a housing crisis, needing 1.2 million...

Anxiety is a debilitating force that holds many people back, but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, I share a wonderful roadmap to eliminate anxiety with nine practical steps that can transform your anxious life. 

Drawing on over 31 years of experience working with clients, I guide you through a structured process to understand, identify, and ultimately overcome the beliefs and thoughts that fuel anxiety.

From defining what anxiety...

In this episode, I reflect on Australia Day 2025 and the broader concept of national culture.

Every nation has a culture shaped by its people, and I challenge you to consider: what do you want your national culture to be?

Drawing on examples from Australian history and my family’s immigrant journey from Hungary, I discuss how culture evolves, how migration influences it, and why not all cultures are of equal value.

I explore key eleme...

In this episode, I dive into a bold and powerful theme for 2025: "Holding the Bastards Accountable." I share my vision for ensuring that politicians and bureaucrats who behave badly, dishonestly, or corruptly are held to account, even after leaving office. 

Reflecting on the changes since the start of this show in 2020, I highlight how much our lives have shifted and the importance of stepping up as "we the people.&qu...

In this week's episode, I explore the fascinating concept of reality and how we can shape it. As we approach the Christmas and New Year period—a time of reflection and possibilities—it's the perfect opportunity to examine what drives our beliefs and behaviours. I discuss the truth that we each create our reality and I unpack what it means to be "realistic".

I pose nine pivotal questions designed to challenge your...

In this week’s episode of The Charles Kovess Show, I explore the profound insights and inspirations gleaned from Barbra Streisand’s new autobiography, My Name is Barbra. This 950-page masterpiece not only showcases her exceptional career and achievements but also provides a powerful lens through which we can examine self-awareness and passion.

Barbra’s detailed journaling, a habit she maintained throughout her life, is a key enabler...

In this week’s episode, I explore the concept of tipping points in history and the profound impact they have on humanity. Using examples such as the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reigns of leaders like Stalin and Hitler, I delve into how pivotal moments can drastically alter our trajectory, for better or worse. 

The focus of this episode is my declaration that Donald Trump’s re-election would mark a crucial tipping point—a positiv...

In this episode, I explore the recently released Australian government inquiry into its C0V!D-19 actions. 

This inquiry, though limited and nowhere near the thoroughness of a proper Royal Commission, uncovers a disturbing catalogue of questionable and unlawful conduct by politicians, public servants, and government consultants. 

I argue that these were not "mistakes" as claimed, but deliberate strategies to enforce a harmfu...

In this week’s episode, I dive deep into the critical issue of the rule of law and its importance in maintaining a well-functional society. I argue that the rule of law is being systematically undermined, it is being trashed, not just in Australia, but globally. This is causing immense harm to individuals and communities as governments and legal systems fail to uphold justice. 

I share personal insights from my 20 years of legal exp...

In this episode, I tackle the troubling issue of politicians behaving badly. 

While it's easy to dismiss this as something they always do, I’m particularly frustrated with how blatant this bad behaviour has become. 

What makes it worse is that we, the public, have elected these politicians and yet we treat them as if they’re above us. It’s time to stop treating them like demigods and remember that they are our servants, not the ...

In this week’s episode, I focus on a single but powerful idea: the question of education. I reflect on what a "good" education means, noting that despite its universal importance, there’s no consensus on what a “good” education actually is. 

Some view success as a direct result of formal schooling, but I challenge this by sharing examples of highly successful and competent individuals who had shitty schooling experiences. 

...

In this week’s episode, I dive into the remarkable power of imagination and its vital role in our lives. 

I discuss how imagination, more important than knowledge as Albert Einstein said, is a unique human quality that enables us to solve problems and unlock our potential. 

Unlike artificial intelligence or robots, we possess a "minestrone soup" of conscious and subconscious mind, spirit, and life experi...

In this episode, I explore the pervasive misinformation and disinformation propagated by governments and big corporations, while these same entities purport to protect us from falsehoods. 

The irony is overwhelming, as governments introduce legislation to ban so-called "disinformation" while so often being the source of inaccuracies and lies themselves. 

I discuss how this issue is playing out in several sectors, starting w...