Bill's partner, Inga, was diagnosed 6 years ago with ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).

ME/CFS is a chronic illness characterised by profound fatigue, sleep abnormalities, pain and other symptoms that are made worse by exertion.

Bill joined us on ASING FOR A MATE to share what it means to live with someone who has a chronic illness. He shares how it has changed their day-to-day lives but also how it continuously challenges their relationships and pushes them to be better partners 👫🏼

💒 "For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health" is the most well-known saying about relationships but we rarely think about what would actually happen if one were to become sick.

Ultimately, this episode is about relationships, being a considerate partner and supporting one another during difficult times.

I'm sure that Bill's wisdom, dedication and capacity to put everything in perspective will be a source of inspiration for many.

Enjoy this great conversation with Bill 🎧

More about ME/CFS

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ME is not an uncommon disease but not much research is currently being done and I am glad that this podcast is going to help shine some lights on this condition. If you would like to find out more about ME/CFS, you can check out https://www.emerge.org.au/what-is-mecfs. If you would like to take action and help support the research, you can donate to the Open Medicine Foundation: https://www.omf.ngo.

Netflix Documentary - 'Unrest' - https://www.netflix.com/au/title/80168300

More about Bill & Inga

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Bill is an amazing live drawing artist and illustrator, you can check out his work on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/billhope_art/

Inga, Bill's partner, is working on a paper stop motion animation about what life's like for someone living with ME/CFS. You can follow her project on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anexistenceproject/

If you live in Australia 🇦🇺, chances are that your last trip is a very distant memory 🙈. For some of us, it feels like a piece of our soul is missing and that our daily grind is pointless now that we can't look forward to this escapism 🏝 Well, you're in luck because Tom's story is going to take you on an audio journey ✈️ all the way to Iceland and beyond - whilst sharing great musical and film references.

🎧 Listen to this episode to find out what travel had brought to Tom's life, how it has helped him find the answers that he had been seeking for so long but also find himself and discovered his true meaning 🧭 You will get to hear why Iceland has become such a special place for Tom, where he has returned many times over 🌋

Tom is a warm and generous person with endless fascinating stories. He is a music lover, sports fan, travel aficionado, entrepreneur and proud queer man who sometimes struggled with his sense of belonging. Travel has been a way for him to explore and find a place where he might finally feel like he belongs.

🏳️‍🌈 Tom is the first queer Aussie man to come on the podcast and we couldn't be more excited to continue going beyond the small talk with underrepresented communities 🏳️‍🌈👏🏼

📺 Here is the link to the amazing Hannah Gatsby’s Netflix Special that Tom mentions during the episode: https://www.netflix.com/title/80233611?s=i&trkid=13747225

I watched it after this recording and highly recommend it to anyone - whether your are straight, queer, a man or a women!

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

ASKING FOR A MATE is the feel-good podcast that asks guys to go beyond the small talk.

​Our mission is to break down stereotypes of Aussie masculinity and improve the mental health of men by letting guys know that it's ok to let your guard down and have frank and honest conversations.

​Each episode, Cécile gets the chance to ask Aussie guys what’s really going on beneath their thick skin and ask the questions they may have been avoiding, in the hope that it will encourage more meaningful relationships between friends and those around us.

Music by QUID - 'Show your face' (https://soundcloud.com/eli-ekman/show-your-face)

When Lachlan became a dad, he had to deal with an inner emotional turmoil that he was not prepared for. Going back to work after two short weeks of paternal leave can leave you drained, especially when your work turns into stressful deadlines. Add the fact that your best friend and confident just became a new mum that is exhausted too and you've got a young fella struggling to cope.

During this episode, Lachlan goes beyond the small talk and shares his journey to becoming a new dad, the challenges he's faced, how he dealt with the work pressure and how he adapted his prioritises to be more present for his son and wife. This is an honest conversation about fatherhood and changing relationships.

ASKING FOR A MATE is the feel-good podcast that asks guys to go beyond the small talk.

​Our mission is to break down stereotypes of Aussie masculinity and improve the mental health of men by letting guys know that it's ok to let your guard down and have frank and honest conversations.

​Each episode, Cécile gets the chance to ask Aussie guys what’s really going on beneath their thick skin and ask the questions they may have been avoiding, in the hope that it will encourage more meaningful relationships between friends and those around us.

When you spend 11 years in the Navy, you are taught to 'toughen up', to 'suck it up' or even to 'stop whining' so when Jake started struggling, having night terrors and showing signs of anxiety, he didn't know what speaking up meant.

This episode will take you on Jake's journey navigating his mental health struggles along with the stigma associated with speaking up about depression when you are in the Armed Forces.

Jake's story is humbling and honest. It gives a powerful insight into an institution that is only now slowly addressing the concerning rate of PTSD amongst its ranks.

Let's talk about... multicultural relationships! There is a common belief in Australia that having a girlfriend from overseas is so exotic and fun But, is it easy to have relationships that last? What so good about them? Why are they sometimes a lot more hard work than we first imagined?

For this episode, I have invited Curt to share his story and what it means for him to have a European girlfriend 🇦🇺vs 🇪🇸

He's got lots of fun stories and whether you and your partner share the same mother-tongue, this episode will put a smile on your face and makes you want to travel to Spain as soon as possible ✈️💃🏻🍷

Enjoy! 🇦🇺Bonne écoute! 🇫🇷 ¡Diviértete! 🇪🇸

How to deal with sudden change and financial pressure! No, we are not talking about a global pandemic, or are we?

Not knowing what the next step is can be paralysing but a tiny step is better than none. Luke takes us through his journey (so far) of navigating some unexpected pitfalls, hitting the reset button and starting everything again. Together we explore the concept of failure and if it is not just simply a hidden opportunity? This episode will make you view the current situation in a more opportunistic light, potentially leaving you excited to start something new.

We had to delay some of our recordings. We will try and be back as soon as possible. Listen to the other 10 episodes if you get bored at home :) Stay well and don't forget to be asking for a mate!

Luke is the founder of one of the first successful male grooming company in Australia. About 8 years ago, Luke launched 'The Bearded Chap' along with their first product: a beard oil. Together we discuss a challenge that Luke had to face every day when he started his business: 'How can you convince Aussie blokes to use male grooming products?'

Even with a strong background in sales, Luke still had to battle the stigmas and stereotypes attached to using beauty products when you are a man. Listen to this great episode to find out how he did it and if you wanna get your hands on one of Luke's luxury male grooming product, you can get them online: https://www.thebeardedchap.com/

Thanks again to QUID for your amazing music: https://soundcloud.com/eli-ekman/show-your-face

Matt was one of the only overweight kids at school. A few years after his graduation, he reached an ideal weight but continued to feel like "a fat kid". It took Matt a degree in psychology and a lot of introspection to understand how to dissociate his self-esteem and his body image.

Asking for a mate is the podcast for guys who are not afraid to go deep. Each month, I get the chance to chat with one of my mates and hear what's underneath their thick skin. And this episode is clearly about your skin and how you feel in it.

Listen to this episode if, like me, you're not very kind to yourself when you look in the mirror or think about your body shape. You'll learn how to diversify your sense of self-worth to ensure that how you feel about your body doesn't take over your life and your mental health. After all, we all prefer guys who appear to be confident, am I right girls?!

This episode is all about Travis' journey and pursuit of defining his own aboriginal identify and masculinity.

Being a teenager is always tough but being a teenager trying to find your own identity while in limbo between two cultural background can make things even harder. Throw in the mix a love for creative and performing arts and the result is one hell of an adolescence, an awesome story and one incredible human being.

Travis and his brother have an awesome podcast called Broriginals, check it out here: https://open.spotify.com/show/1CudOSebihEhlCchn6Gfgd

'Mateship' is one of the key foundations of the Aussie culture - Yeah The Boys! This month, with my mate Scotty, we celebrate the positive relationships that can exist between men and especially looking at his tight group of mates, 'The Boiz'.

The episode was released on International Men's Day which honours male role models and the positive value men bring to their communities.

And this is exactly what Scott and his crew of 'Boiz' are about:

This group of young men do almost everything together: from intense triathlon to boozy wine club nights, all the way to buying cryptocurrency. But what really fascinated me with this group of mates is how supportive, open-minded and considerate they all are with each other. This kind of brotherhood is something that touched me and I hope that my discussion with Scott encourages many other groups of mates to be somewhat similar.

Tune in to hear more about how this group of guys came to exist and what makes it so special.