From a young age, Cheng Lei had dreamed of becoming a journalist. After ditching a career in finance, her dreams came true when she was hired as a business journalist in China. But that dream turned into a nightmare in 2020 when Lei was arrested by Chinese authorities and accused of sharing state secrets. Hidden away in isolation and denied due process, it would be more than 1,000 days before she would see her kids or family again. 

In this episode of Head Game, journalist and author Cheng Lei reveals to Ant Middleton what it's really like inside China's prison system, and how she kept her self mentally resilient in conditions designed to break her down.

LINKS

• Cheng Lei's book 'A Memoir Of Freedom' is available now
• Watch the Sky News Australia documentary 'Cheng Lei: My Story' 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: Damien Haffenden 
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.

Growing up as the son of a Victorian footy legend, it seemed inevitable Jonathan Brown would follow in his father's footsteps and play AFL. But Browny's rise from country league player to one of the best players of all time wasn't smooth sailing, and success was never guaranteed.

In this episode, the former Brisbane Lions captain shares the advice and training that helped him become an elite athlete,  kicking an astonishing 594 goals over 256 matches, and later pivot to a successful media career.

LINKS

• Listen to Browny's Podcast wherever you get your podcasts
• 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: Damien Haffenden 
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 2017 Matt Caldwell, better known to music fans as 360, was riding high on the success of his third top five Australian album. On the outside, he had the fame, the money and the success he'd always wanted. But deep inside, the people pleaser in him was deeply insecure. Chasing that euphoria of success, he'd turned to drugs. Just two years later, Matt's addiction would result in him collapsing from an overdose during his biggest tour to date, forcing its cancellation.

In this episode of Head Game, 360's candid conversation about how addiction gripped him for so many years, how rehab had little effect on him and what finally turned his life around.

LINKS

• 360's new album 'Out Of The Blue' is out now
• 360 is touring Australia in July and August: tix and info here
• Listen to 360 and Pez's ForthWrite podcast
• 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.
• Ant Middleton is back in Australia with The Trilogy Tour, his most powerful and transformative live experience yet. Saturday 19th July 2025 - The Star Event Centre, Pyrmont NSW; Saturday 26th July 2025 - The Star Theatre, Gold Coast QLD. Visit Ticketek for tickets!
• This episode contains discussions of drug abuse. If this episode raises any issues for you, help is available from Lifeline's National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden 
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.

Louise Hawkins was born with one arm and was immediately rejected by her father. It spawned a shame that drove her to great lengths to try to hide her disability. 

At her lowest, Louise wanted to end it all. But with the help of Ant’s book ‘The Fear Bubble’ and a supportive fitness community, she finally found her way to self-confidence and is now thriving as an adaptive athlete and motivational speaker.

This episode contains discussions of suicide and mental ill-health. If this episode raises any issues for you, help is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

LINKS

• Follow Louise on Instagram
• 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.
• Ant Middleton is back in Australia with The Trilogy Tour, his most powerful and transformative live experience yet. Saturday 19th July 2025 - The Star Event Centre, Pyrmont NSW; Saturday 26th July 2025 - The Star Theatre, Gold Coast QLD. Visit Ticketek for tickets!

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden 
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.

Danni Brooke joined Britain's Metropolitan Police at 18, but was quickly recruited to join the undercover unit. Her youthful appearance and no-nonsense attitude was perfect for taking down predators and infiltrating organised crime gangs. But 10 years of living a double life eventually took its toll.

In this episode Danni reveals what it took to become the UK's most effective female undercover cop, the delicate balance of working a dangerous job as a mother and why she's happy a serial predator attacked her.  

LINKS

• Danni's book 'Undercover Copper' is available now
• Follow Danni on Instagram
• 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.
• Ant Middleton is back in Australia with The Trilogy Tour, his most powerful and transformative live experience yet. Saturday 19th July 2025 - The Star Event Centre, Pyrmont NSW; Saturday 26th July 2025 - The Star Theatre, Gold Coast QLD. Visit Ticketek for tickets!

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden 
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.

Former special forces commando Heston Russell has an impressive resume from his time in the Australian Defence Force. The fifth-generation soldier has service in his blood, with more than 100 combat missions under his belt. 

His drive and passion helped him work his way quickly through the ranks. But behind the success, self-doubt, the loss of a soldier under his command and hiding his sexuality play on Heston's mind. 

LINKS

• Heston's book 'Forging The Will To Fight' is available now
• Listen the Heston's podcast 'The ABCs of Heston Russell' 
• 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.
• Ant Middleton is back in Australia with The Trilogy Tour, his most powerful and transformative live experience yet. Saturday 19th July 2025 - The Star Event Centre, Pyrmont NSW; Saturday 26th July 2025 - The Star Theatre, Gold Coast QLD. Visit Ticketek for tickets!

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden 
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.

Suzanne Heywood was just 6-years-old when her father decided the family would embark on an around-the-world sailing expedition. What seemed like a dream trip sailing the world's blue waters and sandy beaches soon became a nightmare, with powerful storms damaging the boat and supplies running low. 

After years with little schooling or friends, her parents abandoned Suzanne and her brother in New Zealand and continued their adventure. Hoping for more out of life, Suzanne took a chance by writing letters to elite universities in the hope education could help turn her life around. Her efforts paid off.

LINKS

• Follow Suzanne on Instagram
• Suzanne's book 'Wavewalker' is available now
• 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.
• Ant Middleton is back in Australia with The Trilogy Tour, his most powerful and transformative live experience yet. Saturday 19th July 2025 - The Star Event Centre, Pyrmont NSW; Saturday 26th July 2025 - The Star Theatre, Gold Coast QLD. Visit Ticketek for tickets!

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden 
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.

Jamila Rizvi was just 31 years old and a rising star in Australia's media landscape when she went to her doctor thinking she was pregnant for a second time. The diagnosis was far more dire than she could have anticipated, and it left her body with permanent, life-changing damage. 

In this candid interview, Jamila details the extraordinary methods doctors used to save her life, how her family rallied around her in her darkest hours, the toll the tumour has taken on her body, and how the experience has given her a new sense of purpose.

LINKS

• Follow Jamila Rizvi on Instagram
• Jamlia's book with Rosie Waterland 'Broken Brains' is available now
• 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: Damien Haffenden 
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.

James Parr has taken the fashion world by storm, proudly displaying his prosthetic leg and representing the disability community on runways and in photoshoots for the likes of Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and lululemon.

In this episode, James discusses how the resilience he built up during his unconventional childhood helped him navigate the cancer diagnosis that led to the amputation of his leg, and how having a disability has helped him find his purpose.

LINKS

• Follow James Parr on Instagram and TikTok
• 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: Damien Haffenden 
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.

Our frontline workers are often unsung heroes, saving lives and keeping us safe with little to no recognition for their bravery or the toll it takes. In this special episode, Ant looks back on interview with some inspirational emergency services workers who have seen and experienced things many of us could only imagine: former police officer Allan Sparkes, former Commissioner of Fire and Rescue New South Wales Greg Mullins and paramedic Sally Gould.

LINKS

• Listen to Ant's full episode with ex-cop Allan Sparkes
• Follow Allan Sparkes on Instagram @allansparkes_cv
• Find out more about Allan and his book, The Cost of Bravery, at allansparkes.com
• Check out Ant's full chat with firefighter Greg Mullins
• More on Greg Mullins' book 'Firestorm' here
• Sally Gould's book Frog: The Secret Diaries of a Paramedic is out now
• 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.