Get Frank with Mitch McPherson

Dylan Buckley is a former AFL player who was drafted in 2011 under the father/son rule to the Carlton Football Club. Dylan went on to have an 8 year career with both Carlton and the Greater Western Sydney Giants.

It was at his time at GWS where Dylan put himself out there to start becoming a podcaster, and through local radio and event opportunities, and interviewing team mates, podcasting quickly became the next thing for Dylan.

Now the creator and producer of two of our country's biggest and most successful podcasts in Dyl and Friends and List Cloggers, Dylan Buckley is a household name when it comes to AFL identities in media and the podcasting world.

It was an honor to sit with Dylan and talk not only about his AFL career and the highs and lows that it bought him. But his insight into mental health battles with anxiety as a player, his worries about what he would do after football, and then through hard work finding a purpose in life, which now brings him an enormous amount of joy and connection.

Dylan loves reflection and appreciates the opportunity each day to learn from those he engages with. He is also striving to be a more empathetic person each day, allowing himself to give more to those going through life’s challenges.

I am so grateful for Dylan to open up his studio "Producey" for me in Richmond Victoria, and to give us an insight into his life and his future goals.

Enjoy my time with the great man, and the podcast GOAT, Dylan Buckley!

Safety - This episode deals with issues surrounding mental health, which may be triggering for some listeners.

If you need support please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 📞

Jo Palmer is a former television news reader and journalist. Known for reading the weekly news bulletin live on our tv screens with Southern Cross, or hosting a charity event, Jo has now turned her attention to politics, and is making waves in the early stages of her political career. 

After recently being elevated to cabinet and taking over 3 important portfolios, Jo’s always been someone to me that I see a lot, but I just don’t know much about her. 

In her first episode as a podcast guest ever (which was a surprise) Jo gives a wonderful insight into her family and upbringing that had us at one stage both in tears. Jo shared with me about being adopted as a baby in NZ, the thrills and challenges in meeting members of her birth family, as well as the amazing gratitude she has towards her mother that gave her up.

We spoke about growing up in a loving family here in Tasmania, and to now living life in the fast lane and why she felt it was time to enter politics, and the difference she wants to make.

Jo also answered questions I had around journalism and how I’ve always questioned the amount of leniency reporters get when reporting on matters.

I’m really grateful for this insight into Jo’s world. Jo is kind, articulate, genuine, caring and determined to be the best mum, politician and person she can be.

Enjoy!

Rochelle Dare (Rocky) battled anxiety and depression from a young age, but could never build up the courage to go and seek help for it.

For the first time ever speaking about it publicly, Rocky shares about her self harming, going through an abortion, the loss of a family member, and other life obstacles that continued to challenge her mental well-being. I could see the relief in Rocky’s face when she shared the moment that she finally headed off for professional support in 2019, where eventually she was diagnosed with clinical anxiety and depression.

Rocky openly talks about her life journey, and is very open about the things that broke and crippled her.

But eventually, after navigating through these trying times and accepting things need to change, they strengthened her and made her who she is today.

After setting up "The Linen Print, and publishing the new "Undiscovered Tasmania" travel and destination book, Rocky very much herself feels comfortable and confident with the skin she is in - but mainly because she overcame her fears and sought professional help.

Rocky is outgoing, courageous, creative, and most importantly, proud of the person she is today.

A businesswoman, a mum, a wife, and someone willing to be vulnerable in a bid to help others.

I loved my time with Rocky, what an awesome human!

Enjoy!

Safety - This episode deals with issues surrounding mental health, suicide, and self harm, which may be triggering for some listeners.

If you need support please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 📞

Tyler Richardson is the front man and founding member of Tasmanian punk rockers Luca Brasi.

Tyler to me has always been such an interesting guy, he is widely adored by fans of course, but anyone I know who knows him always mentions how grounded and fascinating he is - so I wanted to find out for myself.

In this chat we talk about his upbringing and creating the band. His experiences with anxiety and how that has at times hindered but also empowered him and his passion for music. The challenges of being a rock star on weekends, and a high school teacher during the week. Travelling to amazing parts of the world with the band, and working with the wiggles and the JackJumpers (to name a few). And also very excitingly, we talk about Tyler becoming a Dad soon.

Tyler really is a wonderful guy, and although I am not into punk rock myself, I will be telling kids to look up to him as he is a fantastic role model for our younger generation.

Enjoy!

Jack McVeigh is one of the stars of Tasmanian NBL side the JackJumpers.

Since the inception of the JackJumpers this year, I had heard so many positive comments about this guy. Not only his basketball ability which as many now know is at a very high level. But people had said his personality is infectious, and you just want to be around his positive energy all the time.

So I wanted to sit down with him, and learn more about why he is like that.

This guy has come in on his day off in the middle of NBL finals to chat to me, so that needs to be applauded.

Jack gave us a great insight into the JackJumper team and its culture, we spoke about what drives him to be a better person and why he strives to be a role model and a positive person in our society.

Jack was really open about the leanings it has taken him to realise that there is more to life than just being a good at basketball.

Thanks again to Jack for giving up his time this week, you will really enjoy this insight into his time so far with the Jack Jumpers, but also the insight into jack and the intriguing and positive way he leads his life.

Good luck to Jack and the lads in their third final Monday night :)

Enjoy!

GF

Mitch sits down with James “Jimmy” Smith, one half of radio's newest National weekend breakfast show Jimmy and Nath.

Better knows as "Jimmy", James opens up on growing up in a small country town, but then heading to the big smoke to chase his dreams to be an entertainer.

Jimmy's story really is proof that when we think someone has "it all together", we very much might be a long way off.

Jimmy's raw insight into his daily battles and challenges is an inspiring listen.

Safety - This episode deals with issues surrounding mental health, suicide, and alcohol use which may be triggering for some listeners.

If you need support please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 📞

Enjoy!