Better Than Yesterday with Osher Günsberg

Today we have a rev-up from the incredible Australian musical theatre star Lucy Durack. 
She is living proof that persistence, strategic preparation, and a little bit of hope can open doors you never thought possible.

Lucy Durack is and always will be the original Glinda in the Australian production of the smash hit musical Wicked. But she didn't get that job by accident. In fact, she decided she was going to get it and sta...

If you’ve stopped and looked up in the middle of a shopping centre or on your train or bus commute, there’s probably one think you’d notice – almost everybody you encounter having their faced buried in their phones. The growth of social media and smartphones means we are constantly looking to be entertained.

Today’s guest says – that’s a problem. And he would know, he’s an acclaimed c...

This episode features some of the most powerful messages from when parenting and resilience educator Maggie Dent came to the house. Maggie’s got some simple, immediately actionable ideas that can radically change your experience as a parent (and theirs).

Key Takeaways:

• Build your tribe, not your village
• Focus on connection, not perfection
• Create pockets of joy to protect your family from the tough days
• Invaluable insight...

In 2008, Wes Carr had the things most artists dream of - national fame, chart-topping success, and millions of eyes watching him perform on the iconic Sydney Opera House steps. What followed was a whirlwind of promotion, performing and recording sessions that strayed from Wes' authenticity as an artist.

In this raw and reflective conversation, Wes opens up about success, identity, burnout, and the quiet cost of ambition. He talks a...

Dr. Sarah Woodhouse, a trauma expert and psychologist, shares transformative insights on parenting. When I spoke with Sarah, she talked about the power of self-compassion, the importance of modelling healthy behaviours, and how to help children navigate life’s challenges.

Whether you’re a parent or simply curious about breaking generational cycles, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable advice.

LINKS

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When we tell ourselves stories about who belongs and who doesn’t: what’s that person doing in my street? How’d a person dressed like that get in here? Who let that guy who works for that politician who says those things into this birthday party? When we really think about it - how often are we wrong? Today’s guest, deals with those judgements all day, and how she handles them is well worth listening to.

As comedian and radio legend Merrick Watts prepares for his Grapes Of Mirth festival in Tasmania, I thought it would be a good time to look back at a couple of interesting things that we learned about Merrick from the times I've spoken with him over the years.

You'll hear about his unique approach to resilience, his thoughts on parenting, and the really interesting way that he revived a 2000 year old Roman drink for modern tastes. ...

What if I told you that the secret to happiness was to pay more attention to the times when life absolutely sucks? How can that make sense? 

Everything I scroll past berates me with a message about finding happiness, treating myself, pushing me to constantly be seek out the good at all costs. While it’s absolutely important to discover and nurture those things that make life pleasurable and even tolerable, my guest ...

When I open my phone, it explodes in a cascade of fear, fury and furphies. That content does exactly what it is designed to do—leave me spinning in a tizz of powerlessness and desperation. 

Besides just turning my phone off, I think I have found something that makes that feeling less intense, and instead gives me the feeling that I am actually doing something that will make a difference.

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The man, the music legend - Diesel (aka Mark Lizotte) is my guest the week as he prepares to tour the nation for his By Request tour. It's a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, addiction, community - even sleep hygiene - and why songs become emotional time machines. It's a conversation about music, ageing, purpose, and finding connection in a modern world that keeps pulling us apart.

Heads up - if you'd like to skip straigh...

Today is January 26th. 

If you’ve listened to the show for a while you’ll probably have an idea about where I view the significance of this day. If there’s one thing I wish for 2026, it’s that two things can be true at the same time. It is vitally important to celebrate a national identity, the story which binds us together as a community. 

The current day we’re celebrating this concept cause...

Steven Pinker is a cognitive scientist, bestselling author, and one of the most influential thinkers of our time. His latest book unpacks the concept of 'common knowledge', and how it impacts our social, political, and economic lives.

Steven argues that this invisible layer of shared understanding holds societies together. But it can also work in reverse by reinforcing inherent biases as more people silo themselves inside echo cham...

Today, we dive into the fascinating world of relationships, mental health, and neuroscience with neuropsychologist and author Dr. Hannah Korrel. 

Dr. Korrel specialises in understanding why our brains make us do the things we do, particularly in the context of relationships. Her book How to Break Up with Friends explores the complexities of friendship and how to navigate toxic relationships.

LINKS:

• Listen to the full...

Dr Emily Musgrove (yes, that Dr Emily from The Imperfects) is here to help us answer the big question: Are you moving toward the kind of life you want? If not, you might be feeling ‘stuck’.

In this mental health masterclass, Dr Emily takes us through the things that keep us stuck—from our emotions to old stories—and shares simple ways and plenty of tips and tools from her new book, Unstuck: A Guide To F...

Professor George Paxinos, a leading global neuroscientist who has mapped more parts of the human brain than anyone in history. George’s groundbreaking work has reshaped our understanding of the brain and human behaviour.

Today, we’ll focus on one of the most intriguing topics he explores: free will. Is free will an illusion? Are we truly in control of our decisions, or are we simply products of our genetics and e...

Dr Billy Garvey is a senior developmental paediatrician with over 20 years’ experience and a PhD in supporting child development. He's also the founder of the social enterprise Guiding Growing Minds, author of the fantastic book Ten Things I Wish You Knew About Your Child's Mental Health, and host of the excellent Pop Culture Parenting podcast. He’s simply one of the absolute best communicators on parenting and mental h...

Ben Lee is one of Australia’s most unique and enduring artists. He's been in the public eye since he was just 14, after being discovered by the Beastie Boys. Ben's career has spanned decades, producing countless memorable songs and collaborations. 

Today we hear Ben’s reflections on creativity, his thoughts on changing perspectives, and the lessons he’s learned about connection and authenticity.

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Jessica McGuire is a physiotherapist and an author who has spent a whole career focusing on the complex relationship between pain and the nervous system and emotional regulation. 

LINKS:

• More info on Jess can be found at jessicamaguire.com
• Watch Story Club on YouTube and grab tickets to Story Club's next show
• My books So What? Now What? and Back After The Break are available here
• Send a pic of what you're looking at ...

Maria Konnikova, is a a psychologist, author, and professional poker player. Her work explores the intersection of psychology, decision-making, and human behavior, and she’s written bestselling books like The Confidence Game and The Biggest Bluff. 

Today we explore her thoughts on decision-making under pressure, the psychology of cons, and the importance of mindfulness in navigating life’s challenges.

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