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@lucasardelis

Luca’s IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm6619960/

Happy New Year! Let this chat be the creative inspiration you need to kick off your year. This week I sat down with the incredible Luca Sardelis!

Luca Sardelis is a Greek-Cypriot-Australian actor, writer, and all-around maker, working across film, TV, and theatre. You might know her from lead roles in The Hunting (SBS), Nowhere Boys (ABC), and Deadlock (ABC), or from A Perfect Pairing (Netflix), The Tourist (HBO Max), and RFDS S3 (Channel 7). She trained in Shakespeare and Jacobean theatre at LAMDA in London and has performed in sell-out shows like Parlour Games (Adelaide Fringe) and her self-devised piece The Fish Rots from the Head(CRAM Collective), which is headed for screen production in 2026 with Mercury.

In 2023, she scored a Carclew grant to write and direct her first short, Nothing Gold Can Stay (We Made A Thing), and in 2024 she wrote, produced, and performed in the video art piece Aurora at Adelaide’s Household Gallery. Her work has also been featured in BAFTA- and Academy-qualifying festivals, including SXSW (I’m The Most Racist Person I Know) and Flickerfest (Spite, Cordelia, Daughter of the Sea).

She’s constantly pushing herself, telling bold stories across stage and screen, and has a stacked slate of indie features coming up, River, Love, Tea and Epiphany, Diabolic, Ruby Ruby, and Haven’t You Heard? Everyone Hates Me.

She’s a total inspiration and it was an honour to have her on the show! 

Available to watch on YouTube or listen on all podcast platforms

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Support the show: patreon.com/gopluckyourselfpod 

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts
▶️ Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@gopluckyourselfpod

Follow me on Instagram & TikTok:
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My IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm8690472/

Grab some tickets to his show: https://arttheplay.com.au/

This week on the podcast, I sat down with multi-award-winning actor Damon Herriman, an Australian icon who’s managed to do the unthinkable: break Hollywood and build a career that’s lasted from childhood television all the way through to Quentin Tarantino, and some of the biggest shows and movies on the planet. Damon’s one of those rare performers who’s not only been around forever, but has somehow kept getting better, sharper, and more interesting with every decade.

We dive into the long game behind that kind of career: the patience, the timing, the doubt, the breakthroughs, the craft, and the strange little decisions that end up changing everything. From the years where nothing was landing, to the moments that opened doors in the US, to the roles that reshaped his trajectory, it’s a look at how a multi-award-winning career is actually built. Slowly, quietly, and with a ridiculous amount of persistence.

This was such an honour.

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🎵 Theme music by Nick Gun: soundcloud.com/nickgun

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Support the show: patreon.com/gopluckyourselfpod 

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts
▶️ Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@gopluckyourselfpod

Follow me on Instagram & TikTok:
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My IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm8690472/

Follow Frazer on Instagram: 

@frazerhadfield

@fromage.frazer

Check out his IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm9090098/

This week I sat down with fellow Better Man actor Frazer Hadfield, who played Robbie Williams’ best mate in the film, and honestly, one of the real beating hearts of the story. We get into everything from the craft, the career stuff, and what it actually feels like being on the inside of a big film like Better Man.

We talk about Michael Gracie’s rehearsal style, long-take filmmaking, iPhone run-throughs, reshoots, industry myths, self-tapes that may or may not get watched, and how to stay grounded when the work goes a bit quiet. Frazer’s got this calm, honest perspective on the industry that’s genuinely refreshing, and there’s so much actors can take from the way he approaches the job.

I loved this chat. Thanks for coming in, Frazer.

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🎵 Theme music by Nick Gun: soundcloud.com/nickgun

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Get your tickets to The Glass Menagerie here: https://statetheatrecompany.com.au/shows/the-glass-menagerie/

Support the show: patreon.com/gopluckyourselfpod 

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts
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Follow me on Instagram & TikTok:
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My IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm8690472/

Follow Laurence on Instagram: 

@laurenceboxhall

Check out his IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm6278415/

This week I sit down with the insanely talented Laurence Boxhall, an actor who has genuinely done it all. From playing Gollum in Lord of the Rings: The Musical to tackling Tennessee Williams in The Glass Menagerie, Laurence has one of the most versatile and seriously impressive CVs going around.

But what really sets him apart is the way he thinks about the work. He’s sharp, curious, funny as hell and full of the kind of hard-earned insight you only get from years of actually doing the thing theatre, TV, musicals, comedy, drama, all of it.

We talk about growing up in Adelaide, studying at NIDA, carving out your identity as an actor, refusing to take yourself too seriously, and how to hold onto play, joy and perspective in an industry that can drain all three. It’s thoughtful, chaotic, honest and full of proper wisdom.

If you’re an actor or creative of any kind, this one’s going to light you up.

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🎵 Theme music by Nick Gun: soundcloud.com/nickgun

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Support the show: patreon.com/gopluckyourselfpod 

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts
▶️ Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@gopluckyourselfpod

Follow me on Instagram & TikTok:
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My IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm8690472/

Follow Dave on Instagram: 

@daviddaradan

Get tickets to the SASA Nominations Screenings: https://themercury.org.au/sasa2025/

Get tickets to A Streetcar Named Desire, starring Dave: https://butterflytheatre.net/next-production/

Check out his IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm9621041/

This week I’m joined by actor, writer and director David Daradan. Yes, that David Daradan. We talk about how a ridiculous HBO credit, the Vigorous Hand Job Guy, unexpectedly turned him into a viral meme, and how he’s since gone on to create Liability, a hilarious and heartfelt short film premiering at the Adelaide Film Festival.

It’s a chat full of laughs, behind the scenes stories and sharp insights about acting, directing and collaboration. David’s one of those people who somehow balances humour, humility and hard work, and it really shines through here.

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🎵 Theme music by Nick Gun: soundcloud.com/nickgun

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Support the show: patreon.com/gopluckyourselfpod 

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts
▶️ Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@gopluckyourselfpod

Follow me on Instagram & TikTok:
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My IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm8690472/

Follow Tom on Instagram: 

@tomspiby

@core_film

@noasis_official

Check out his IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm9621041/

This week I’m joined by actor, writer, musician and all-round legend, Tom Spiby, who somehow shares my very specific claim to fame: we’ve both played Noel Gallagher. Tom’s the lead guitarist in the Oasis tribute band Noasis, while I played Noel in Michael Gracey’s Better Man. So yeah, this episode was always going to get a bit nostalgic.

We talk about acting, songwriting, filmmaking, and his upcoming short film Core, a dark, character-driven drama about a young drummer chasing opportunity at any cost. Tom shares what he’s learned from writing and producing his own work, studying at Flinders Drama Centre, and balancing his love of music and film.

It’s a fun, genuine chat about creativity, collaboration, and staying true to your artistic voice. And of course, plenty of talk about Oasis, growing up on 90s music. Just two dudes being dudes.

Check him out on all his socials! This guy does not stop!

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🎵 Theme music by Nick Gun: soundcloud.com/nickgun

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Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of loss, mental health & alcoholism.

Support the show: patreon.com/gopluckyourselfpod 

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts
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Follow me on Instagram & TikTok:
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My IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm8690472/

Follow Benji on Instagram: @benji_gee

Check out his IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm3760023/

This week I sat down with my good mate, the unbelievably talented and down-to-earth Benji Groenewegen. We kick off chatting about his upcoming films Into The Earth (dir. Lucy Campbell) and Liability (dir. David Daradan), and from there Benji shares some really sharp insights into acting. Things like keeping self-tapes simple, navigating an acting career as a father of two young boys, and the idea of “travelling light” so the work can actually breathe.

About halfway through, the chat shifts. Benji opens up about losing his brother, and we talk honestly about the unexpected weight of grief, the guilt of moving forward, and how those experiences shape both life and art.

It’s one of the most raw and generous conversations I’ve had on this podcast, and I’m hugely grateful to Benji for his honesty and courage in sharing it.

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🎵 Theme music by Nick Gun: soundcloud.com/nickgun

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Support the show: patreon.com/gopluckyourselfpod 

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts
▶️ Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@gopluckyourselfpod

Follow me on Instagram & TikTok:
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My IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm8690472/

Follow Jess on Instagram: @jess_kuss

Check out her IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm9621041/

In this episode, I sit down with actor Jess Kuss to talk about rejection, motherhood, and the fear of stepping back from her acting career. Jess opens up about being on hold for over a year for a major role in Talk to Me, only to lose it, and how that moment collided with becoming a mum.

Jess speaks honestly about the reality that she only had so much love and energy to give, and it needed to go to her baby. Acting didn’t disappear, it just had to wait. We dig into the guilt, the imposter syndrome, and the myth that you’re “less serious” as an actor if life forces you to pause.

This is a raw and reassuring conversation for anyone juggling acting with real-world responsibilities. Dreams don’t expire, they just shift shape.

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🎵 Theme music by Nick Gun: soundcloud.com/nickgun

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🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts
 ▶️ Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@gopluckyourselfpod
 ❤️ Support the show: patreon.com/gopluckyourselfpod 
 
 Follow me on Instagram & TikTok:
 @featuring_chris_gun
 @gopluckyourselfpod
 
 My IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm8690472/
 
 Follow Calen on Instagram: @catsordeathfilms

Check out his IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm4471043/

Watch his debut short film, ‘Greg’: vimeo.com/848995139
 
This week I sat down with one of my oldest and closest friends, Calen Vanstone. A director, writer, filmmaker, and someone I’ve known since the beginning of my filmmaking career. We’ve been on parallel creative journeys for more than half our lives, and it’s been incredible watching him finally bring his stories to the screen.

Calen’s short film Greg (vimeo.com/848995139), a raw and moving piece about the personification of anxiety, has already made its way into festivals, and he’s now gearing up for his second feature. In this conversation, we go deep on what held us back in our early years, the dangers of waiting for permission to create, and why sometimes you just have to ignore the noise and make the thing anyway.

We talk about mental health, vulnerability, and how to keep creating without falling into the trap of people-pleasing or chasing external validation. Calen shares why he believes film school should be a place to fail, why failure is essential for growth, and how he’s learned to turn stubbornness into strength.

If you’ve ever struggled with procrastination, self-doubt, or feeling like you don’t deserve a voice as an artist, this episode is for you.

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 Thanks for listening. Let me know what you think.
 
 🎵 Theme music by Nick Gun: soundcloud.com/nickgun

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🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts
▶️ Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@gopluckyourselfpod
❤️ Support the show: patreon.com/gopluckyourselfpod 

Follow me on Instagram & TikTok:
@featuring_chris_gun
@gopluckyourselfpod

My IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm8690472/

Follow Virginia on Instagram: @g_i_n_n_i

This week, I sit down with Virginia Blackwell. A director, writer, musician, and actor, whose journey shows just how powerful it can be to cross creative boundaries.

Virginia started out as a classical musician, playing piano at three before discovering acting as a teenager at Flinders Drama Centre. Even though she resisted directing at first, those early experiences laid the groundwork for her filmmaking, and ultimately her short film Dragging the Chain, which is now heading to Copenhagen for its international premiere! Holy Smokes!

We talk about why she believes every director should learn to act, how she builds collaboration on set without pulling rank, and the very real fear of “cringe” that stops so many artists from even starting. “Everything is cringe until it works.”

This conversation is packed with insight on embracing multiple passions, making your own opportunities, and remembering to “eat all the figs” before they rot on the tree.

If you’re an actor curious about directing, a filmmaker wanting to connect better with performers, or just a creative person stuck at a crossroads, this one’s for you.

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🎵 Theme music by Nick Gun: soundcloud.com/nickgun

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