Head Game

Mat Rogers shares a raw and vulnerable insight into his life in this episode. From his inspiring career as both a Rugby league and union legend, to facing heartbreak behind the scenes, Mat opens up to Ant in this powerful conversation. 

He speaks about how he wanted to carve his own path in the sport he loved, the tragic passing of both his mother and father, and how he found the strength to carry on. 

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 Mat on Instagram @mat_rogers6
• Details of Mat's memoir, A Father's Son can be found here
• Find out more about Mat's charity and donate to 4 ASD Kids at 4asdkids.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.

In this episode, Ant is joined by Carli McConkey. Carli was just 21 years old when she attended a wellness festival in Sydney one Sunday afternoon. She met with a psychic, hoping to gain some clarity and direction. But that encounter ended up altering the course of her life for 13 years. Carli shares her story of losing her identity, freedom and family. She also opens up about the realisation that she needed to escape, and how she fought against mind control techniques in order to do so. 

If you suspect you or someone you know may be involved in a cult, support is available at www.cifs.org.au

If you think you need immediate assistance, call 000. If you would like to speak to someone for support, you may wish to contact one of the following services. 

• Lifeline – Call 13 11 14, or visit www.lifeline.org.au.
• 1800RESPECT – Call 1800 737 732, or visit www.1800respect.org.au.

LINKS

• Find out more about Carli McConkey's book, The Cult Effect, here
• More information about Carli's work on cult education and recovery can be found on her website, carlimcconkey.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.

The matters discussed in this episode are Carli McConkey’s personal opinions and experiences relating to the allegations of abuse detailed in her book The Cult Effect: A True Story of Mind Control in Australia 1996 (2027).

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.

For as long as Jeffrey Morgan can remember, he's lived in survival mode. His earliest memories are dominated by family violence, gambling, and alcoholism - so at just 12 years old, Jeff decided he'd be safer on the streets than under his own roof. 

What followed were years of having to fend for himself, and although he never wanted to hurt anyone, crime became a 'habit' for Jeff and his crew. 

At 37 years old, sitting in a jail cell, Jeff decided that he'd had enough. He transformed his life, and today is serving his community through his mindset coaching and leadership programs. In this episode, he shares his inspiring life story. 

LINKS

• Find out more about Jeff Morgan at jeffreymorgan.com.au
• 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.

Aminata Conteh-Biger is an author, inspirational speaker, Founder and CEO of a non-profit organisation, The Aminata Maternal Foundation.

Aminata was born in Sierra Leone, growing up in Freetown. Following her kidnap, imprisonment and subsequent release by rebel soldiers during the 11-year civil war, Aminata became one of the first Sierra Leonean refugees to be settled in Australia.

She shares her harrowing experience in this episode, reflects on how she processed her trauma to build a new life on the other side of the world, and shares stories about the man who first taught her strength and kindness. 

CW: In this episode, Aminata shares her confronting first-hand experience of war.  This contains discussions of rape, murder and abuse. If you think you need immediate assistance, call 000. If you would like to speak to someone for support, you may wish to contact one of the following services. 

• Lifeline – Call 13 11 14, or visit www.lifeline.org.au.
• 1800RESPECT – Call 1800 737 732, or visit www.1800respect.org.au.

LINKS

• Find out more about the Aminata Maternal Foundation and their amazing work at aminatamaternalfoundation.org
• If you're in Sydney or Melbourne and would like to support the Foundation, consider taking part in the First Breath Walk  this Saturday November 2nd. For more information and to donate, find details here 
• Purchase a copy of Rising Heart 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.

For most, reaching the summit of Mount Everest would be a once-in-a-lifetime moment. But for Kenton Cool, this is another day at the office. He's one of the world's best mountaineers and climbing guides, and has reached the highest point on the planet an incredible 18 times.

In this episode, he shares the journey from being told he may never climb again, to being at the top of his game. 

LINKS

• See more from Kenton Cool at kentoncool.com
• Check out Ant's episode on Kenton's podcast, Cool Conversations, here
• Killer K2 with Ant Middleton premieres Thursday 24 October, exclusively on 7plus
• 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.

This week, Ant is joined by star goalkeeper, Lydia Williams.

From her upbringing in desert Kalgoorlie to playing in the EPL, Lydia shares her path to success despite heartache and injuries. She shares what it takes to be a Matilda, and takes us inside their meteoric rise in the 2023 World Cup. 

• Lydia's kids book 'Saved!!!' can be purchased here
• 'Goal!!!' can be purchased here
• Follow Lydia Williams on Instagram @lydsaussie13
• 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.

Gina Chick joins Ant to share her extraordinary life story. From a wild childhood filled with adventures to the devastating loss of her young daughter, Gina's approach to life and grief is truly unique.

Gina shares how she's gotten through her lowest moments, and the tools she's learned along the way that will help others. 

LINKS

• Gina's memoir, We Are the Stars, is out now. Find out more and purchase a copy here.
• Follow Gina Chick on Instagram @gigiamazonia
• 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.

Kellie Finlayson shares her inspiring story with Ant in this episode. The young Mum and wife of AFL star, Jeremy Finlayson, was just 25 when she was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in 2021. Having just given birth to Sophia, she put some unusual symptoms down to being postpartum, but the results of a delayed colonoscopy revealed the life-changing news. 

She opens up about how this robbed her of her first year of motherhood, the ongoing fight to stay alive each day, and how the support of her family and friends kept her going.

LINKS

• Find out more about prevention and early detection of bowel cancer at jodileefoundation.org.au
• Follow Kellie Finlayson on Instagram @kelliefinlayson_
• 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.
• If you enjoy listening to Head Game, you can vote for us in the 'Listener's Choice' category at the Australian Podcast Awards. Submit your vote at australianpodcastawards.com/voting

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.

With a career spanning over 20 years as an operational police officer, Allan Sparkes was no stranger to high-pressure situations. From murders to robberies to rescues,  Allan had to confront intense and difficult cases on a daily basis. But this took a harsh toll, and he found himself battling post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. 

Now, Allan is passionate about preventing severe burnout and supporting those working on the frontline. He shares his journey from feeling hopeless and worthless, to becoming a recipient of the prestigious Cross of Valour.

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 Allan Sparkes on Instagram @allansparkes_cv
• Find out more about Allan and his book, The Cost of Bravery, at allansparkes.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.
• If you enjoy listening to Head Game, you can vote for us in the 'Listener's Choice' category at the Australian Podcast Awards. Submit your vote at australianpodcastawards.com/voting

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 blink of an eye, Sam Bloom's life changed forever. The active Mum-of-three was on a family holiday in Thailand when a tragic fall left her paralysed from the chest down. What followed were months of rehab and heartbreak, as Sam battled with severe injuries and her declining mental health. 

In this episode, she speaks about how the love of her family and a little bird got her through, in a story that's captured the world's attention.

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 Sam on Instagram @samjbloom
• Find out more about Sam and her books at sambloom.com.au
• 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.
• If you enjoy listening to Head Game, you can vote for us in the 'Listener's Choice' category at the Australian Podcast Awards. Submit your vote at australianpodcastawards.com/voting

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.