Mark Wales is a former SAS soldier who served multiple deployments in Afghanistan, including intense combat operations that tested the limits of human endurance.

In this profound conversation, Wales opens up about the psychological realities of combat, the bonds forged between soldiers under fire, and the complex moral terrain of modern warfare. He discusses the transition from military to civilian life, the systemic failures that prolonged the Afghanistan conflict, and his perspective on the controversial Ben Roberts-Smith case. Wales offers unflinching insights into fear management, the brotherhood of arms, and what ANZAC Day truly means to those who've served.

• The psychological impact of combat and managing fear under fire
• How military training prepares soldiers for high-stress combat situations
• The unique bonds formed between soldiers in the theatre
• Chain of command structure and leadership in combat zones
• Australia's handling of veteran affairs compared to other nations
• The systemic issues that prolonged the Afghanistan conflict
• Perspective on the Ben Roberts-Smith case and war crimes prosecutions

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James Glissan is a criminal defence lawyer who has stood on both sides of the courtroom as a former police officer and prosecutor, giving him unique insight into how Australia's justice system actually works.

In this conversation, we examine the controversial Ben Roberts-Smith case and what it reveals about prosecutorial decisions, media influence, and the fundamental challenges facing our legal system. Glissan breaks down the critical differences between civil and criminal standards of proof, the complexities of war crimes prosecution, and why this case represents a significant test for Australia's justice system.

We also explore broader issues around democratic participation, government transparency, and why so many Australians feel disconnected from the systems meant to serve them.

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Hamish Blake is one half of Australia's most enduring comedy partnership and a creative force who's turned curiosity into a multi-decade career.

In this conversation, Hamish opens up about his Melbourne childhood, the mathematical thinking behind his comedy, and how boredom shaped his creativity. He reveals the inner workings of his partnership with Andy Lee, from their first meeting at Melbourne Uni to navigating success whilst maintaining their friendship.

We explore his transition from full-time broadcasting to prioritising fatherhood, his approach to screen time with his kids, and why he believes doing things "just for fun" sits high on the hierarchy of importance. We also spoke about:
• Growing up and the power of childhood boredom
• The mathematical approach to comedy and creative problem-solving
• Meeting Andy Lee and finding a catalyst for courage
• Building a partnership that's survived decades in the spotlight
• Choosing family time over career ambitions
• The government mandated podcasting break explained
• Why he refuses to make his parenting podcast commercial
• Balancing marriage with Zoe Foster Blake's entrepreneurial drive 

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Bob Katter is one of Australia's longest-serving politician with 51 years in parliament and one of the most recognisable figures in the country.

In this conversation, Katter reveals how he brought down Prime Minister Julia Gillard over the live cattle export ban, explains why he left the National Party, Australia's problem with selling out, rise of One Nation and details the structural collapse he's witnessed across rural Australia. He discusses the deregulation that decimated sugar, dairy, tobacco and other agricultural sectors, and why he believes politicians today simply won't govern. 

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John Kiriakou is a former CIA counterterrorism officer and the only intelligence official to blow the whistle on America’s torture program and ultimately pay the price with prison time.

In this revealing conversation, Kiriakou takes us inside the world of spy recruitment, from spotting targets at diplomatic parties to the devastating personal costs of intelligence work. He explains how a childhood fascination with the Middle East led to a 15-year CIA career, his role in capturing high-value Al-Qaeda targets after 9/11, and the moral reckoning that changed everything. We also explore his analysis of current geopolitical tensions, from Iran’s nuclear program to the growing risks of escalation in the Middle East. 

We also spoke about:

• How the CIA recruits spies using the "spot, assess, develop, recruit" cycle
• The personal cost of counterterrorism work — losing his marriage after being targeted by Greek terrorists
• Leading the capture of Abu Zubaydah and witnessing the birth of America's torture programme
• Why he became the sole CIA officer to publicly oppose enhanced interrogation techniques
• His 23-month prison sentence for revealing torture to the American public
• Analysis of current Middle East tensions and the intelligence behind Iran policy
• Media manipulation and finding reliable sources in an age of disinformation

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Michael Clarke is one of Australian cricket's most successful yet polarising captains.

In this revealing conversation, Clarke opens up about his leadership philosophy, the weight of captaincy, and the personal costs of life in the spotlight.

He discusses the tragic loss of teammates including Phil Hughes, Shane Warne and Andrew Symonds, shares insights on modern cricket's evolution, and reflects on the controversial moments that defined his career. Clarke also speaks candidly about fatherhood, finding balance through the strong women in his life, and how becoming a parent has fundamentally changed his perspective on leadership and empathy.

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Mark Wales is a former SAS soldier who served multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, now providing strategic analysis on the unfolding Middle East conflict and Australia's defence vulnerabilities.

Wales breaks down the current Iran operation, explaining how it differs from previous Middle East campaigns and why traditional military technology still requires boots on the ground. He discusses Australia's concerning defence gaps, from our 35-day fuel reserves to our minimal submarine fleet, and explains how geopolitical tensions could cascade into a broader global conflict involving multiple fronts. We get into:
• The strategic differences between Al-Qaeda and Taliban operations in Afghanistan
• Why Iran's nuclear capabilities represent a regional tipping point 
• How Israel's long-term intelligence operations enabled recent strikes
• Australia's critical defence vulnerabilities and fuel supply risks
• The role of robotics and AI in modern warfare
• China's military capabilities and Pacific theatre implications
• Why current conflicts could escalate into multi-front warfare

Find out more about Mark Wales here: https://www.markwales.com.au/summary 

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Toby Walsh is one of the world's foremost artificial intelligence researchers — a professor at UNSW, author of multiple books on AI, and a regular voice at the United Nations on the governance of autonomous weapons.

In this conversation, Mark Bouris and Walsh cover the full arc of AI: from Alan Turing's original question about machine intelligence, to the way ChatGPT actually works, to the concentration of power in the hands of a handful of Silicon Valley figures. They examine the economics of the AI industry — who is actually making money, and why companies are spending billions they cannot yet recoup. Walsh also addresses the military application of AI in Ukraine and Gaza, the threat of autonomous weapons, and why he believes we may need to see atrocities before the world acts.

• How Alan Turing defined artificial intelligence — and why that definition matters now
• Why AI hallucinates and what it actually means when a chatbot gives you a wrong answer
• The concentration of AI power into a small number of companies and individuals
• Autonomous weapons, AI targeting in Gaza, and the coming arms race
• The future of work — the four-day week, productivity gains, and what happens to human purpose
• Why AI will likely replace human driving — and why that is a good thing
• The case for global regulation and what Walsh is telling the United Nations

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Craig Laundy joins me in Las Vegas for a direct conversation on business, politics and legacy, from the Bulldogs’ resurgence to the Laundy family’s investment in 2GB. We unpack the future of Australian politics, the role of AI, economic pressure points and what it takes to build long term impact across generations.

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NRL star turned Fox League host Braith Anasta joins me for an honest, wide-open conversation about footy, family, mental health and life after the game.

We get into:
• Losing his dad to suicide at 15
• Mental health
• NRL career highlights
• Who scared him the most in the game
• What he learned from the Johns brothers
• Dealing with controversy
• Fatherhood
• Transitioning post-retirement

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requirements and T&Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer ends 31 March 2026.

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