On the 15th of December 2014, the usually bustling Martin Place in Sydney's CBD became the epicentre of chaos, as a terrorist held 18 people hostage inside the Lindt Cafe. 

Ben Besant was the Tactical Operations Unit officer that brought the 16 hour ordeal to a close by eliminating the terrorist. 

In the decade since that day he's been known as 'Officer A', but as of November 2024, Ben is stepping into the limelight to share his account of what happened across those brutal 16 hours. 

He speaks to Ant about his role and mindset during the siege, and the 'high price' he's paid for his service as a result. 

This episode contains Ben Besant’s first-hand experience of the Lindt Café Siege and includes discussions of terrorism, violence, death and PTSD. If any of these topics are triggering for you, please give this episode a miss or seek help by visiting Lifeline's website at https://www.lifeline.org.au/ or by calling 13 11 14.

LINKS

• Ben's book, Tiger! Tiger! Tiger! is available to purchase at tigertigertigerbook.com 
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest 
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bruce 'Hoppo' Hopkins' life may look glamorous to most - spending his days in the sun and surf. But the true cost of lifeguarding is far greater than most realise. 

In this episode, the star of the hugely popular Bondi Rescue opens up about the toughest parts of the job, the toll it's taken on his life and how things are changing for the better. 

In this episode, there is a mention of suicide. If this topic is triggering for you, please seek help by visiting Lifeline's website at https://www.lifeline.org.au/ or by calling 13 11 14.

LINKS

• Check out Hoppo's podcast at lifesabeach.co
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest 
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the firefighting world, Greg Mullins is a legend. He's the former commissioner of Fire and Rescue New South Wales, a Climate Councillor with the Climate Council, and the founder of Emergency Leaders for Climate Action.

With over 50 years experience in fire-fighting, he is an internationally recognised expert in responding to major bushfires and natural disasters.

In this episode, he joins Ant to speak about the terrifying task of firefighting during Australia's 'Black Summer' of 2019, and the toll that has taken on him to this day. 

LINKS

• Check out 'Firestorm' by Greg Mullins here
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest 
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Military and army personnel are regularly pushed to the limits of the human body and mind. 

From Ant's time in the military, he knows first-hand what toll this can take on your physical and mental health.   

In this special episode, we're revisiting some of these powerful conversations we've had in the last year. 

CW: This episode contains discussions of alcohol and substance abuse. Support is available from The Alcohol and Drug foundation at https://adf.org.au/

LINKS

• Listen to Ollie Ollerton's episode in full here
• Listen to Damien Thomlinson's episode in full here 
• Listen to Brian Udell's episode in full here
• Purchase a copy of Ant's latest book, Military Mindset here
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website https://www.antmiddleton.com/ 
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.au

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we produced this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode, you'll hear from three women who have had to endure unimaginable heartbreak. Dr Lucy Hone, Gina Chick and Safiyya Vorajee each lost a precious daughter, and they share their powerful stories of grief and resilience today. 

LINKS

• Listen to Dr Lucy Hone's episode in full here
• Find out more about Lucy's work with Coping With Loss at copingwithloss.co
• Details of Lucy's book, Resilient Grieving, can be found here 
• Listen to Gina Chick's episode in full here
• Gina's memoir, We Are the Stars, is out now. Find out more and purchase a copy here.
• Listen to Safiyya Vorajee's episode in full here
• Donate to The Azaylia Foundation here: https://theazayliafoundation.com/ 
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website https://www.antmiddleton.com/ 
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.au

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we produced this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we take a short break, we're looking back at some of the most powerful episodes of 2024. In this special, you'll hear from three guests who thought their lives were heading in one direction, and then one tumultuous day changed everything for them. 

LINKS

• Listen to Simon Kennedy's episode in full here
• Listen to Sam Bloom's episode in full here
• Listen to Nigel Brennan's episode in full here 
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website https://www.antmiddleton.com/ 
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.au

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we produced this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode, you'll hear from two incredible women who had to think and act fast in a race against the clock to stay alive. Mother Nature turned their lives upside down in a split second, and put their resilience and bravery to the ultimate test. Today, you'll hear from Lisa Blair and Kelsey Waghorn. 

LINKS

• Listen to Kelsey Waghorn's episode in full here
• Listen to Lisa Blair's episode in full here
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website https://www.antmiddleton.com/ 
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.au

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we produced this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In December 2004, Rebekah Giles made the spontaneous decision to book a holiday to Thailand. After a busy year working as a lawyer, she decided a week on the idyllic Phi Phi Island would be the reset she needed.

But her relaxing break quickly turned into a total nightmare, when the deadliest tsunami in modern history struck. 

20 years on from that horrific day, Rebekah shares her story and reflects on the tragedy.  

LINKS

• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest 
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeb Corliss was just six years old when he declared that one day, he would fly. His Aunt explained to him that it wasn't possible. But for Jeb, eventually it would be possible. Jeb is one of the most well-known BASE jumpers on the planet. He shares his wisdom on fear, pushing yourself to the limits and learning the value of time in this fascinating conversation.  

In this episode, there is a mention of suicide. If this topic is triggering for you, please seek help by visiting Lifeline's website at https://www.lifeline.org.au/ or by calling 13 11 14.

LINKS

• Follow Jeb on Instagram @jebcorliss
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest 
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gus Taylor is happiest when he's climbing. From the Blue Mountains to Joshua Tree, Gus has travelled the world, seeing each new place from the greatest heights. But his favourite hobby became 'revolting' to him, after he faced not one, but two life changing moments. 

In this episode, he shares his devastating journey of losing one of his best mates in a freak-accident, and his return to the ropes to honour him. 

LINKS

• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest 
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.