Tony Ayres, creator of Clickbait, Nowhere Boys, The Slap (BAFTA nominated), and The Survivors (New Netflix Show) unravels the secrets behind storytelling and shares his personal story which truly inspires me.

In his second feature film, The Home Song Stories, Tony beautifully and heartbreakingly tries to understand his dear mother. Tony lost her at 11 years old and his stepfather at 15. His story moves me so much because I care deeply about my mum who has schizophrenia. And I lost my father with dementia at 15.

"Everything we believe comes from a story" -- Tony Ayres

(00:00) How to intrigue the audience?

(00:24) Tony and Berlin’s connection

(01:50) Tony's story (childhood and his mother)

(06:20) The Home Song Stories

(14:23) "I told myself stories to go to sleep"

(15:08) Dream about flying

(15:24) After Tony's mother died

(20:05) Writing as therapy

(20:50) Sense of self at school

(24:05) Oppression of females in Chinese families

(26:25) Our parents putting pressure on us

(27:44) Understanding his mother through Joan Chen

(28:40) Forgetting how difficult it was for our parents

(31:02) Good at making people sad

(33:22) Tony’s switch from Film to Television

(37:28) Power of storytelling: saved Tony's life

(41:10) Most profound thought Tony ever had

(43:40) Meeting his partner, Michael McMahon at 17

(49:06) When someone changed his life in Film

(53:12) Biggest obstacle to writing is you (self doubt)

(55:44) Secret to storytelling (feelings)

(1:02:18) Tony's driven by his Heart and his Head

(1:03:07) Find your people and your voice

(1:05:11) Berlin’s short film

(1:07:22) Tony's struggles

Tony Ayres

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0044016/

https://beat.com.au/the-survivors-netflix-to-turn-bestselling-local-novel-into-a-crime-mystery-series/

Berlin Lu is an Actor and Carer for his mother.⁠⁠

https://www.instagram.com/berlinluu/

⁠⁠https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8092791/

Rossana Rodriguez is our editor 

https://www.instagram.com/rossurr/

Rossana crafts compelling content within the realms of music, documentary and arts.

Horse Healer Jecerey Miranda strikes a chord within me. We’re both horses having a casual chat which leads to an unplanned beautiful experience.

(00:00) Catching the horse

(00:20) Jecerey meets Berlin at Aya ceremony

(02:27) Songwriting: I Love You - Jecerey Miranda

(05:39) Song meaning and using San Pedro

(06:36) Pain to be strong (like a thorn)

(07:01) Ayahuasca and San Pedro ceremony

(08:59) Loving yourself

(10:15) Berlin reads the lyrics

(11:13) Jecerey’s love for horses

(14:37) How Jecerey started working with horses

(21:04) REY: Jecerey’s first horse and love

(28:13) Riding horses

(35:53) Berlin’s acting adventure: Supernatural and American accent

(44:11) Singing lesson with Rached

Jecerey Miranda

https://youtube.com/@Jecerey

https://www.jecerey.com/

Berlin Lu is an Actor and Carer for his mother.⁠⁠

https://www.instagram.com/berlinluu/

⁠⁠https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8092791/

Rossana Rodriguez is our editor 

https://www.instagram.com/rossurr/

Rossana crafts compelling content within the realms of music, documentary and arts.

Glen Wee signed under Warner Music and released his debut solo album in Jan 2019. At age 19, Glen was part of the nationwide singing competition, The Final One in Singapore, and came forth. He has performed at the F1 in Singapore and has since moved to Melbourne performing soulful ballads and jazzy folk.

However, Glen does not believe a person should be defined by their accolades and opens up to me in one of the most raw and vulnerable conversations I've had the privilege to experience.

(00:00) You are nature

(00:09) SONG 1: If You're Coming Home - Glen Wee

(1:54) Glen’s spiritual journey

(3:37) Describing himself as an artist

(4:08) Digital side in music

(5:35) Digital world as an issue

(7:40) Expression in Singapore vs Australia

(9:01) Porn exposure

(10:05) SONG 2: Carelessly - Glen Wee

(10:37) Growing up in Singapore

(15:22) Moving to Melbourne

(17:01) Berlin meets Glen

(17:11) SONG 3: Sound of Clouds - Glen Wee

(18:22) What drives Glen to make music

(20:57) Music as an expression of the world

(21:20) Music vs Fame

(24:09) Glen's purpose in life

(28:44) Finding answers in nature

(29:05) SONG 4: Work Song - Hozier (Glen Wee cover)

(29:41) Beliefs (Religious background)

(35:49) Anxiety and tools to deal with it

(41:56) SONG 5: I Watch The Sun - Glen Wee

(43:01) Two tools to for anxiety: NSDR & deep breathing

(44:27) What makes him angry

(46:37) Ego and fighting

(49:30) Wim Hof breathing method

(50:56) The nature of our being

(53:07) We are slaves to our body

(54:45) Diet and change of life

(55:59) Reward needs stress

(58:42) Body Baggage and Illness

(59:13) Diet and change of life 2

(1:00:09) Rice Experiment: Salt, Oil & Sugar addiction

(1:01:36) People are attached to culture

(1:04:28) Being good, doesn't make it enjoyable

(1:06:20) Die quicker with high protein

(1:08:30) Organic food benefits?

(1:10:11) No ethical way to murder anything

(1:13:00) Inflammation causes diseases

(1:14:25) Moderation is NOT good

(1:18:50) Gut has a different brain

(1:19:26) Crave fried chicken

(1:20:22) Microbiome - the mind gut

(1:21:39) Crave fruit

(1:23:51) Living an unhealthy life is way cheaper

(1:25:23) Glen was a Domestic Carer

(1:27:55) Fast food industries heavily subsidised

(1:30:45) Berlin's mother had early gallbladder cancer

(1:31:50) If lifestyle don't change, illness comes back

(1:32:14) Taking mum to Malaysia Aenon Health Retreat

(1:33:58) As a Carer, your job is not defined by...

(1:35:57) Arguing with family

(1:38:36) SONG 6: Sweet Mama - Glen Wee

(1:41:39) Finding your voice as a musician

(1:42:30) Best friend Winston Ko @winchicky

(1:43:42) People (good/bad) are there to teach you a lesson

(1:44:51) Multi instrumentalist Glen Wee

(1:45:19) Plays Saxophone with his Voice

(1:46:42) Vocals demo

(1:47:15) Where Glen sees music in the next decade?

(1:50:00) What makes Glen look ahead in the future?

(1:51:47) SONG 7: Paper Man - Glen Wee

Glen Wee

Spotify

Instagram

Berlin Lu is an Actor and Carer for his mother.⁠⁠

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠IMDb⁠

⁠YouTube⁠ - Break The Wall Podcast

Rossana Rodriguez is our editor 

⁠Instagram⁠

Rossana crafts compelling content within the realms of music, documentary and arts.

Aled Achilleos breaks the wall on Psychedelics, Ayahuasca, MDMA, Narcissism & Healing Trauma.

(0:00) Internal Narcissism

(2:11) Aled's spiritual journey beginnings

(2:43) Ayahuasca in Peru (Trauma in childhood)

(3:48) Losing Dad

(4:24) Question the point of life

(6:49) Trying Mushrooms at 18

(9:01) Ayahuasca is a plant, not a drug

(10:00) DMT

(11:03) Natural plant medicines - Mushrooms 

(12:31) Terrance McKenner - expert on psychedelic

(13:24) What are psychedelics?

(16:19) Alleviating anxiety & personal suffering

(17:30) You have to do the work

(18:30) What’s MDMA used for during parties?

(22:11) Guidelines for Ayahuasca

(22:39) Intention to feel the grief of losing his dad

(23:51) What is a Shaman?

(25:50) Sickness vs Gift -- Shaman

(26:30) Hero’s Journey

(27:47) My mother hears voices (schizophrenia)

(29:30) Why people take LSD -- Joseph Campbell

(30:07) Chemical imbalance (Psychiatry)

(31:48) Transpersonal Counselling

(32:34) DSM: Diagnostic book for all Mental Illnesses

(36:05) Advice for someone who's struggling

(37:39) Who am I?

Aled Achilleos is a meditation facilitator, certified reiki healer and sound meditation facilitator.

Instagram

Berlin Lu is an Actor and Carer for his mother.⁠⁠

Instagram

IMDb

YouTube - Break The Wall Podcast

Rossana Rodriguez is our editor --- truly grateful to you ❤️ 

Instagram

Rossana crafts compelling content within the realms of music, documentary and arts.

Thank you Jecerey Miranda & Nicholson Ren

@callumhinze

(0:00) Intro

(0:17) Won IFBB Pro Card at 24 years old

(1:59) Food

(5:42) Take the emotion out of it

(6:12) Make a plan

(9:12) Personal trainer

(9:52) Routine is the answer to your goals

(10:42) Priority list

(15:12) Slow and steady

(16:22) Anyone satisfied with their body?

(17:42) How to lose weight?

(18:32) Comparing to others

(19:24) How to grow muscle?

(21:18) Simple is best

(21:32) Having a coach 

(25:12) Common struggle - adherence

(27:57) Best advice Callum’s received

(28:12) Give it a crack

(30:22) Mental Health

(30:57) Stress

(31:36) Do you get overwhelmed?

(32:09) Routine vs. Spontaneity

(33:23) Being Present 

(33:52) Power of Now

(35:17) Past & Future don’t exist

(38:02) Won IFBB Pro Card in April - his experience

(39:19) Bodybuilding World - understanding it

(40:36) Mr. Olympia - biggest title

(41:00) Different divisions

(41:04) Mens Physique

(41:19) Classic Physique

(41:55) 101kg

(42:18) 212 pound Division 

(42:41) Open Body Building

(44:20) 70’s - 80’s

(45:10) Bodybuilding sport

(46:14) How to get started?

(47:15) Tall and Short compete for 1 card

(47:33) How many cm is tall?

(46:07) If you want to compete in bodybuilding

(48:59) Matt Orchard

(50:17) How did Callum feel when he won Pro Card?

(51:12) Compete against the world

(51:38) What is Pro Show?

(53:00) Do the average person care?

(53:53) Morgan Eldrett

(55:22) Normal to be different

(56:10) What do you love most about Morgan?

(56:35) How’d you two first meet?

(1:00:39) Female ideal body

(1:10:12) Posing

(1:03:07) Female chest training

(1:04:37) If you don’t train abs

(1:05:14) Easiest way to get abs?

(1:06:47) Build muscle at maintenance?

(1:07:52) What makes your relationship work so well

(1:08:25) Number 1 passion

(1:10:57) Competed together in bodybuilding

(1:12:12) Sex drive

(1:13:20) Pep Guardiola on no sex 

(1:14:36) Sleep

(1:19:56) Before show, don’t do it

(1:20:34) Food/Digestion, take care of body

(1:20:45) Digestive enzymes can help

(1:20:56) Supplements from coach

(1:21:02) Magnesium Glycinate

(1:21:12) Betaine HCL - breaks down food

(1:21:50) Other supplements Callum use

(1:24:16) High protein concerns?

(1:25:12) Meal tips?

(1:25:38) Meal timing

(1:28:10) 2023 goals - first pro show

(1:29:06) What’s the dream? Win Olympia

(1:30:11) Silently confident

(1:30:55) C Bum comparison

(1:31:58) Standing next to the people we look up to

(1:32:46) What kind difference do you want to make?

(1:33:01) Help people in doing what he does

(1:35:09) Goals for Callum and Morgan in 3 years

(1:35:42) Pro card Morgan

(1:37:22) First time travelling overseas

(1:37:42) Callum’s biggest fear - not living up to potential

(1:38:53) I could’ve been better

(1:40:17) People just have some parts together

(1:40:42) Younger Callum

(1:41:07) Training for Football

(1:41:35) Grew up in Brisbane, Australia

(1:42:31) Twitch Fibres / Muscles

(1:44:25) The dream when Callum was 15 years old

(1:45:20) Switch from Football to Bodybuilding

(1:45:42) First time at the gym

(1:46:45) Can young kids lift in the gym?

(1:47:56) Execution of exercise BETTER than stupid heavy

(1:50:05) Slow stuff down

(1:50:05) Social media

(1:51:15) Motivation of bodybuilding

(1:52:04) Majak Daw

(1:52:30) Rare to align passion, skills and contribution

(1:53:11) Grateful for what he does

(1:53:38) Final sharing from Callum

(1:54:00) The most important thing in life

(1:54:12) Find your thing and do it

(1:55:12) Meaning of being alive

Berlin Lu is an Actor and Carer for his mother.

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠IMDb credits

(41:19) How to deal with Anxiety, Stress, Sadness

(01:06:35) 5 minute Guided Meditation

(01:04:39) Master your Feelings

(27:30) I and Me Method

Hyonju Lee

- DM of ATOMY Oceania

- Director at Melbourne Korean Cultural Foundation

- President of Korean Society of Victoria

- Board member of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

- Public Relations Director of Korean Women's International Network

- Founder and Chairwoman of Korean Festival committee

- Former Flight Attendant at Cathay Pacific

- Bachelor of Arts, Piano at YoungNam University

(0:00) Messing up

(1:19) Podcast begins

(2:55) Introduction

(6:08) 20 year-old Hyonju Lee

(6:44) What would you say to your 20 year-old self?

(7:21) What would your 20 year-old self say to you now?

(13:37) Our inner self knows what we need

(17:45) Mistake Asian mothers make

(19:42) Is it for me or is it really for them?

(20:38) What's good for me may not necessarily be good for others

(21:30) Love without attachment

(26:50) I'm never the same person

(27:30) I and Me method

(30:37) Using labels to describe ourselves

(35:39) Lost souls (death)

(37:50) Are you really living?

(38:34) Living free in your life

(40:49) Feeling nervous

(41:19) How do you deal with Anxiety, Stress, Sadness

(41:50) Your true self vs the feeling (create the gap)

(43:15) You don't allow yourself to keep struggling

(44:30) Spiritual world

(44:40) Power and energy to be the best you can be

(46:15) Ego

(51:17) Our lives now compared to Kings 100 years ago

(52:07) Material world is always thirsty world

(52:16) Who created society?

(54:05) Rich Mum, Poor Mum

(55:10) They love you the best that they can

(55:31) Give yourself love

(56:08) Everyone wants to be happy

(01:04:27) The feelings don't own you

(01:04:39) Master your Feelings

(01:05:04) Your feelings' like a dog, train the dog

(01:06:16) A practical way to deal with our feelings

(01:06:35) 5 minute Guided Meditation

(01:12:03) Everything we need is within us

(01:13:37) Final sharing to young people

Justin David Macawili - Thank you for editing this episode ❤️

Alexandra Lim is a Miss Universe Australia National Finalist, Youth Mental Health Advocate, Model and Dancer.

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Berlin Lu hopes to make a difference in mental health and caring for his mum

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IMDb credits

Angelo Labrador started Australia's first dessert brand specialising in Korean bingsu with a vision to connect and promote the rich and varied Asian cultures we experienced growing up Asian in Australia. These particular moments struck out to me:

(00:00) Advice for starting a business

(08:02) Seeing yourself represented on-screen is so important

(45:17) Angelo's biggest fear

(48:15) Angelo's dad: "I’m proud of him because he’s happy"

(48:48) Parent's sacrifice

(52:18) Angelo talks about his mental health toolkit

(53:54) Streams of consciousness writing

Angelo's book recommendation - Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big

SCOOPY instagram details:

@scoopymilkbar | @scoopyfriends

Co-Founders:

@scoopynglo (Angelo Labrador)

@drscoopytesia (Tesia Tran)

@scoopykevs (Kevin N.)

@scoopyant (Anthony Dinh)

Store locations:

Plus home delivery through new service called Scoopy Mart. 🛒 You can get bingsu and more delivered straight to your door.

Neville Christie lost his son, Antony (35) when he took his own life after 6 previous attempts while suffering from schizophrenia. I lost my father when I was 15 but I still care for my mother who has schizophrenia. Neville and I share a unique bond who was at first my entrepreneurial mentor but then became someone who I call my beautiful dad.

A former CEO of "Bristol Paints", serial entrepreneur, founder of myriad businesses, venture capitalist, transformation therapist, business mentor-coach & urban shaman care-giver. Four University qualifications in: Arts, Education, Master of Business Administration, and Gestalt Therapy.

Neville claims his past is largely irrelevant anyway. At 81, Neville’s going through his strongest growth spurt ever. Neville has reinvented himself and ready for the new STEEP Renaissance. I will have to bring him back on the show another time to share some more!

LinkedIn

Steep Renaissance

Berlin Lu is an Actor, Filmmaker, Carer & Mental Health Advocate.

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Credits IMDb

Introducing our 10 special guests in the 1st Season of BREAK THE WALL.

Break free from blocks in love, dreams, fears, stigmas, and mental health. An eclectic mix of real talks behind the wall.

Trailer Video: ⁠YouTube⁠

Original song: "If You're Coming Home - GLEN WEE" (future guest on our podcast)

Listen on SPOTIFY

Follow IG: @glenweemusic

Hosted by Berlin Lu: Actor, Filmmaker, Carer & Mental Health Advocate.

Follow IG: @berlinluu ⁠

Credits: IMDb

Majak Daw is an inspiration to anyone who’s ever struggled to belong, felt oppressed or simply dared to dream big. From AFL stardom to attempting to take his own life, it's a real honour that I get to interview my childhood friend, Majak.

During the civil wars in Sudan, Majak Daw fled to Egypt with his family when he was only 8 years old. When they were eventually able to make a new life for themselves in Melbourne’s south-west, I got to know Majak and his family at church and in high school.

It didn't take long before Majak for the first time found where he belonged: playing footy.

When his dream of playing in the AFL came true in 2013, he became a media sensation overnight. He was expected to be a role model for migrant youth and to speak for his entire community.

From the outside Majak appeared to stand tall in the face of this pressure' as well as vicious racial vilification. Depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse and the fear of becoming a father were tearing him apart from the inside.

With nowhere else to turn, Majak made the decision to end it all by jumping off the Bolte Bridge. But his story didn't end there. Miraculously, he survived the 25-metre plunge into the icy Yarra River. Despite suffering horrific hip and pelvis injuries, Majak had been given a second chance at life, and he was determined to make the most of it. Embarking on a brutal rehabilitation program, he defied the odds and returned to play AFL footy, including a dazzling comeback game that many had thought impossible.

Autobiography Book: "Majak" by Majak Daw and ⁠Heath O'Loughlin⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@majak_daw

24/7 Mental Health Services: Beyond Blue, Kids Helpline, MensLine Australia, Open Arms, Lifeline, Suicide Call Back Service

Berlin Lu is an Actor, Filmmaker, Carer & Mental Health Advocate. Listen to him share his story on ⁠The Brain Game Changer.⁠

Instagram: ⁠@berlinluu⁠

Credits: ⁠https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8092791/