Straight Talk with Mark Bouris

Ellyse Perry is arguably Australia's greatest dual-sport athlete, the only person to have represented Australia in both cricket and football at an international level.

In this conversation, she reveals the mental framework behind scoring a Test double century, why she finds deeper meaning in team sport than individual achievement, and how a competitive childhood on Sydney's North Shore set the foundation for everything that followed.

Perry also discusses the evolution of her training across two decades at the top, the growth of women's cricket, and the almost meditative headspace she finds batting in the nets - a window into how one of Australia's most enduring athletes thinks about performance, longevity, and what the game gives back.

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In this conversation, political strategist and pollster Kos Samaras explains how Australia’s political landscape is fragmenting beyond recognition. 

He reveals why traditional Liberal and Labor voters are abandoning both major parties, how disillusioned Australians are turning to One Nation and the Greens, and why the country is heading toward a more divided political future.

From the collapse of manufacturing in regional Australia to the psychological impact of Melbourne’s lockdowns, Samaras breaks down the economic, cultural and generational forces reshaping Australian democracy. He also explores why younger Australians are losing faith in the system, why many no longer believe they can afford children or home ownership, and how social media algorithms are accelerating political polarisation across the country. 

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Dr Katherine Bennell-Pegg is the first astronaut to be trained under the Australian flag and a critical voice in the nation's emerging space ambitions.

From her headquarters at the Australian Space Agency in Adelaide, Katherine reveals how Australia is playing an essential role in the Artemis moon programme and why space exploration delivers genuine economic returns.

She discusses the rigorous process of becoming an astronaut, the real risks involved in space travel, and how her engineering background shaped her journey from designing space stations to potentially living in them. The conversation explores everything from toilet malfunctions on Artemis missions to the radiation challenges facing future Mars explorers.

We also talk about...

• Australia's $7 return for every $1 invested in space programmes
• The five major hazards astronauts face in space 
• How Australian technology supported Artemis 2's critical moon mission
• The reality of radiation exposure and medical risks for astronauts
• Why the International Space Station has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize
• Australia's role in the global space race versus international collaboration
• The technological hurdles preventing humans from reaching Mars

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Chris Joye is one of the most influential voices in Australian finance — a fund manager, economist, public policy thinker, and weekly Australian Financial Review columnist.

In this conversation, Joye delivers his starkest warnings yet about Australia's economic future. He explains why the Reserve Bank's humiliating policy reversals have set us up for a multi-year recession, how record immigration and government spending have created an inflation crisis , and why we're heading for the worst property downturn since 1991. Joye also dissects Trump's economic revolution in America and reveals why Australia risks becoming "Asia's Ibiza" unless we fundamentally change course.

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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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