Shane Jenek, who you might know better as Courtney Act, is one of Australia’s most famous drag queens, a global icon, and an absolute legend.

In this episode, we explored some deeply personal and thought-provoking topics, including gender fluidity and sexual fluidity. This conversation was recorded in 2014, in my apartment in Venice Beach California. Shane’s insights into identity and self-expression are as relevant today as they were then.

LINKS:

• Listen to the full interview with Shane from 2014 here
• 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 to [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems like everywhere you turn these days, a gambling ad is popping up encouraging us to have a punt. But behind the bright ads and loud voiceovers, Australians are losing more than $30 million in legal gambling. According to this week's guest Kate Seselja, problem gambling is a public health crisis hiding in plain sight. And she should know - she spent more than a decade addicted to gambling, losing more than $500,000 along the way.

Kate is now an advocate for gambling reform, and this week breaks down the shame she felt over her addiction, the tricks that the industry plays to hook you in and keep you playing, her proposed reforms and how you can get involved.

• More info on Kate's Hope Project
• Sign the #LossLimitsNotLostLives petition
• Help with a gambling addiction can be found here
• More info: Gambling Harm Lived Experience Experts
• Watch full stories recorded live at Story Club
• Get tickets for our next Story Club show 
• Get Osher's new book "So What? Now What?" here
• Send a pic of what you're looking at to [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Osher reflects on a time when simply hearing Tony Abbot's voice sent waves of resentment through his body. But this week, something strange happened, and that's no longer the case. 

• Watch full stories recorded live at Story Club
• Get tickets for our next Story Club show 
• Get Osher's new book "So What? Now What?" here
• Send a pic of what you're looking at to [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've ever found yourself repeating the same patterns in your relationships - the same types of partners, the same conflicts, the same thoughts and feelings - this episode is for you. 

Thais Gibson is an expert in relationships, neuroplasticity, the subconscious mind, attachment theory and more. She's also a former "Fearful Avoidant" who successfully rewired her own attachment patterns to build a secure marriage, and created a massive following by teaching people even the most core components of how we relate to others can be changed. 

In this conversation, you'll hear:

• How the subconscious mind shapes our relationships and how to change limiting beliefs in as little as 21 days
• What attachment styles are and how they affect us
• practical ways to deal with conflict
• the stages each relationship goes through and how to move through them without getting stuck

and more

For more from Thais, head here

For Story Club live on Youtube, copies of So What, Now What? and more from Osher, head here

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As seven-time world champion surfer Layne Beachley was recently honoured with the DAWN award at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame (SAHOF) in Melbourne, it's the perfect time to revisit her chat with Osher and just a few of its many insightful moments. You'll hear:

• What diving headfirst into your fears gives you
• How Layne realised the truth of what was really holding her back from being number 1

And more.

Listen to the whole episode for more - search Layne Beachley Better Than Yesterday

For Story Club and copies of So What Now, Now What? (a great Christmas gift), head here

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you go from being a kid, eye-level to a wok burner in your family's takeaway restaurant, to a go-to name for Chinese cuisine for millions of people around the world? What decisions and sacrifices do you need to make? And what lessons do you learn along the way?

Vincent Lim (aka. Dimsimlim) lets us know, plus:

• The surprising reaction other restaurant owners have had to him sharing his kitchen secrets
• What growing up in a commercial kitchen taught him
• The tough decisions he's had to make as a restaurant owner
• The number 1 dish you should master to level up your cooking

Find Vincent online @dimsimlim

Check out his cookbook The Wolf of Wok Street

For Osher's book So What, Now What? Story Club on Youtube and more, head here

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is not just an example of how Osher would calm his body and mind and overcome fear - it's an example of him doing just that, in real time.

For more from Osher including the Story Club Youtube and copies of his new book So What, Now What? head here

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are many things that could rightly make Shane Jenek furious - from social media algorithms platforming 'right wing talking points' intended to divide, to the continuing moral panic around drag queen story time, to outright personal attacks on his character. But instead, Shane is choosing a different response - namely, one of kindness and storytelling. He tells Osher why he believes this is actually the most effective course, along with:

• How his relationship to his alter ego Courtney Act has changed over the years
• How gender has always been a spectrum, and why that's liberating
• Why he chose to write a children's book

Check out Shane's book Confetti and the Rainbow Garden

For the Story Club Youtube and Osher's book So What, Now What? head here

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why did Osher and James take so long to make their announcements on Australian Idol? It was to build tension, right? Well, not that's not the whole story - as Osher unveils during a recent Story Club Live show.

For stories on Youtube, head here 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The last five years have been a revolution in the way Em Rusciano sees herself, as double-whammy diagnoses of ADHD and autism illuminated a lifetime of masking and trying to meet neurotypical standards.

But even amidst burnout and the grief for all her misunderstood prior versions, Em has gained wisdom and learning that is now seeing her rebuild and recognise herself like never before.

In this conversation, Em and Osher discuss:

• Why her performance on the Masked Singer was so ironically therapeutic 
• How her life, relationships and understanding has changed 
• What we all should understand about neurodiversity, along with tips for navigating the world with a neurodivergent mind

Hear plenty more of Em’s story in her new book Blood, Sweat and Glitter

For full Story Club stories on Youtube, copies of So What, Now What? And more from Osher, head here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.