Animated Living

Interested in having a successful online business? Or maybe you just want to live life in a healthier, happier way. Ian Freestone and business entrepreneur James Schramko from Superfast Business discuss the critical ingredients for both these things in this final episode for 2021.

From 10 years of age the "elusive night Parrot" had fired John Young's imagination. "What if.....??" And so, later in life, one of Australia's best known bushmen, set out on a quest to find a living Night Parrot and to prove its existence to others. This story is that quest.

This interview would not have been possible without the trusted friendship between John Young and President of Rotary Parkes, Robert Shore.

If you would like to support this cause then you can do so through the Rotary Club of Parkes. 100% of funds received will go to supporting the cause of conservation. Please ensure that you reference "John Young" when making your online donation. 
Send donations to ‘Rotary Club of Parkes’ BSB: 802394 A/N: 1000 52981

Many thanks to John Young for sharing his story.

Producer: Ian Freestone

As we move from crisis to “learn to live with the virus” it begs the question, “how do you simply do life?” Because, like it or not, crises are a fact of life and our unique personal challenges make global issues insignificant (for us, at that time). Catherine DeVrye was twice voted Australian Keynote Speaker of the Year, has been Australian Executive Woman of the Year and is a #1 best-selling author on customer service, change, teamwork and resilience. Here she discusses with Ian Freestone how her own personal crises caused her to mine those experiences for treasures that can now be passed onto others.  

Ian Sheppard is 4WD expert. Working with Great Divide Tours in Braidwood, Southern NSW, Ian trains corporate clients (emergency services, military personnel, and others), as well as the regular ‘mums and dads’  He has helped to lead ‘tag along’ 4WD expeditions right around the country and overseas. A skilled bushman with a heart for adventure, Ian’s inspiration and advice come at a perfect time for those of us preparing to jump in our cars and ‘go bush’ for our next holiday.

Change is never instant, but it is possible. The "big three" - sleep, diet and exercise, are not only integrated with each other but impact upon the whole of life. Small simple consistent steps in the right direction lead to lasting habit formation and change. Ian Freestone's 5 keys will help along the way.

“Strength”, “Resilience”, “Compassion”. These three words sum up Libby Bleakley. Libby served with the NSW Police Force for 19 years with a special focus in helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Libby then served with the Australian Federal Police in remote indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, before being deployed to work with the U.N police, firstly in Sudan and then East Timor (Timor Leste). Libby’s interview with Ian Freestone is a beautiful, honest and inspiring story of how personal and national crises can yield transformative and positive outcomes.  

For nearly one hundred years the ‘Manly Daily’, a community newspaper, was delivered to peoples homes in the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Then at the height of the pandemic local news was no more, except online behind a pay wall. Local woman, and former newspaper editor, Kim Smee, had a hunch that hyperlocal, non-sensationalised news, might be of value. After a tentative and uncertain start, the ‘Manly Observer’ is now getting over half a million views a month, has tens of thousands of followers on social media and has brought the community together at an important time. Born out of personal adversity, Kim Smee’s ‘Manly Observer’ is a classic case study in bringing things to life.

When Ian Freestone “unplugged” 10 years ago he started to see and hear things that he’d never heard before. It led him down a path of discovery and reflection that changed the orientation of his whole life. ‘Wisdom from Birds’ is another step along that journey - a story for anyone who loves nature and likes the idea of discovering life lessons that are embedded in our environment. 

In this WORLD FIRST  [tongue firmly in cheek] Ian Freestone is zooming live in the kitchen, guided around, GoPro on head, by decluttering guru, Nici Stanford. A portion of the kitchen is decluttered during this short podcast. Nici’s process can be replicated right around your house, 20 minutes each day for a month and you will be sorted! Just remember: A decluttered life is an Animated Life!

The “Greatest Living Keyboard Player in the World Today” ??? - That’s a BIG call, but it came as no surprise to Lachy Doley fans when Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple) made the claim about Lachy some years back. Lachy has collaborated with not only Glenn Hughes, but was the touring keyboard player for one of Australia’s greatest rock bands, Powderfinger. Lachy has been a staple in Jimmy Barnes’s band for many years and fronts his own band, ‘The Lachy Doley’ group, launching his latest album, ‘Studios 301 Sessions’. Ian Freestone's interview with one of Australia’s most animated personalities, covers everything from homeschooling in lockdown, to what is happening for the performer when they let rip into an electrifying solo. Enjoy the podcast! Preorder the album!!