Coffee Chats with Matt Collins

Spending his early working years in the mines, Brad Butcher knew his life was destined for so much more. Picking up the 2018 Golden Guitar for new talent, Brad has stayed humble and his music was always just a way to pay the bills. Brad shares with Matt his influences and what took him out of his comfort zone when he toured the U.S. Enjoy this coffee chat with a great musical artist and an absolute gentleman. You can catch Brad with other top Australian artists at this year's Murgon Music Muster.

Mona Hecke is well known as the 'Aussie Health Girl' and as well as sharing her popular insights on healthy living, Mona is forging a path forward for the healing powers of medicinal marijuana.

Mona's son has a form of epilepsy and he was adament he did not want the convential treatments as they were doing more harm to his body than good.

This lead Mona to research the controversial medicinal qualities of cannabis and they are very happy with the results.

Harley Cash is the president of social motorcycle club, Aces & Eights. He shares a behind the scenes look at what goes on in a motorcycle club, he gives his honest thoughts on the strict motorcycle club laws that were introduced in recent years. But maybe the most interesting part of Harley's story is his childhood. Harley was homeless at 12 and owned his own house by the time he was 19.

Michael Bennett is an entertainer, a comedian and a stuntman. He has wowed audiences all over the world. But behind the big laughs is a man who has dealt with the sad reality that his fiance died of hyperthermia after going out for a walk in the Snowy Mountains with a friend and getting lost. After that day, Michael's new travelling partner was the black dog. These days, with his wonderful partner (and former Coffee Chats guest) Donna-Leigh Perfect they travel the country inspiring crowds with their Dream Guards show.

Amber Goldsmith has shared the stage with some of the country's biggest country artists including Troy Cassar Daley and Adam Harvey. But it's her personal life that is the really remarkable part of her journey. She joins Matt in the studio and the best part is she brings her guitar! Amber Goldsmith shares the ups and downs of her life and she sings the songs that got her through these times.

As a child, Jas Rawlinson's father would emotionally abuse her every day and tell her how worthless she was.

Due to his mental illness, Jas' father eventually took his own life and she remembers this being a relief because she knew she wouldn't be afraid anymore.

These days, Jas has evolved into a woman making positive changes for the masses and she has recently put together a book called 'Reasons to Live' which showcases other people who have overcome massive challenges in their lives.

Jenni Parry didn't take up Nudism until after her marriage break up, but she very quickly embraced the commonly misunderstood lifestyle choice.

In their Coffee Chat, Jenni shares with Matt how she was initially introduced to public nudity, what her children think about their mum's nude ways and what she said to a man who she thought was taking indecent photos of her naked body.

Lisa Wells used to eat to excess because it was easier than dealing with the thoughts in her head.

It was not unusual for Lisa to eat a whole family block of chocolate or an entire packet of Tim Tams in one sitting.

In her Coffee Chat with Matt Collins, Lisa gets emotional as she opens up about this time in her life.

Nowadays through her business Food, Fear and Freedom, Lisa assists others who are stuggling with the same uncontrollable, emotional thoughts which lead to over-eating as she went through.

After losing his arm in a farming accident at eight years old, Nick Fredricksen didn't even want his family to look at him.

But as Nick grew he realised nothing would stop him following his passion for woodchopping and nowadays Nick wows crowds around the world with his one-armed woodchopping expertise.

In his Coffee Chat with Matt, Nick shares the challenges he faced growing up and his response when Matt asks if he would rather live life with two arms or one.

Abby Andersson was born into a family of Jehovah's Witnesses. Her parents were committed to their church first and foremost so when Abby's teenage marriage broke down her parents chose their religious beliefs over their daughter and refused to speak to her again. Abby experienced many terrible things during her time in the religion, including sexual abuse which was covered up (even by her parents). These days Abby is happily married with three children and has the strength and bravery to share her story.