Andrew Gaze is more than an Australian basketball legend—he’s one of our great people. 

Across five Olympics, two NBL championships and a record-breaking career, Gazey represented Australia with enormous pride. But behind the achievements is a humble, caring family man who brings fun, energy and kindness wherever he goes. 

We talk about his special relationship with his dad Lindsay, handling expectations and setbacks, the importance of teammates, what representing Australia truly means—and why the relationships built along the journey matter far more than any medal. 

Full of laughter, humility and beautiful perspective, this is Gazey at his very best. 

Some people don’t just come into your life… they change the direction of it. 

Outside of family, no one has had a bigger positive influence on Beau’s life than Andy Walton. 

Andy isn’t famous. 

He hasn’t coached AFL premierships or led a Fortune 500 company. 

He’s simply one of the finest people you’ll ever meet. 

A true blue Aussie. A country lad. A devoted husband and father. Hard-working, humble, authentic, and the type of bloke who makes everyone around him feel like they matter. 

Years ago, Andy was Beau’s boss as a house painter. But he was far more than a boss. He created a workplace where people genuinely loved turning up each day. He trusted people, challenged them, encouraged them and somehow managed to bring out the very best in everyone around him. 

That’s his superpower. 

Andy has an incredible ability to make people feel valued, believed in and capable of more than they ever thought possible. 

Life hasn’t always been easy. We talk about how Andy has been through some incredibly tough times, but what stands out isn’t the adversity—it’s the attitude he’s chosen to face it with. His positivity, resilience and ability to keep moving forward are nothing short of inspiring. 

Andy was also one of the driving forces behind the incredible culture built at the Phillip Island Football Club. As one of the club’s best junior coaches and later Beau’s senior assistant coach during one of the most successful eras in the club’s history, he influenced hundreds of players—not just to become better footballers, but better people. His fingerprints are all over the culture that made that club such a special place. 

This episode is about character. 

It’s about the kind of person we should all aspire to become. 

If you want to become a better leader, coach, parent, teammate, friend, or person this conversation is for you. 

We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. 

The Culture Standard 

Better People. Better Teams. Better Culture. 

In this episode of The Culture Standard, we sit down with one of the greatest leaders Australian sport has ever produced—David Parkin AM. 

His résumé is extraordinary. 

211 AFL games for Hawthorn. Premiership captain. Four-time premiership coach. Carlton Coach of the Century. AFL Hall of Fame. Australian Sport Hall of Fame. Legend status at both Hawthorn and Carlton. Order of Australia recipient. Educator. University lecturer. 

But this conversation isn’t about football. 

It’s about life. 

David reflects on the lessons he’s learnt through decades of leadership, success, setbacks, criticism, illness and personal growth. 

We explore the pressure that comes with putting yourself out there, dealing with judgement, being sacked despite reaching the top of your profession, and how leadership can become all-consuming if you’re not careful. David speaks openly about the sacrifices that can come with chasing excellence and how his perspective has changed over the years. 

For Beau, this conversation was particularly special. David became his mentor during his Level 2 coaching accreditation, generously giving his time through coffees, phone calls, training sessions and match-day feedback. What quickly became obvious wasn’t just how great a coach David was—but how remarkable he was as a person. 

His humility. 

His curiosity. 

His willingness to keep learning. 

His desire to leave people better than he found them. 

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is that great leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about continually evolving. 

In this episode we discuss: 

• How great leadership changes over time 

• Having the courage to put yourself out there despite criticism 

• Learning from setbacks, sackings and failure 

• Why flexibility is one of a leader’s greatest strengths 

• The importance of physical and mental fitness 

• Finding trusted mentors and “critical friends” 

• Reflecting on legacy and what really matters 

• Lessons from a lifetime of coaching, teaching and leading 

As usual David also shares: 

✔️ His two greatest pieces of wisdom. 

✔️ The biggest hardship he’s faced. 

✔️ One area he’s still trying to improve. 

This isn’t just a conversation for football lovers. 

It’s a masterclass in leadership, resilience, self-reflection and living a meaningful life. 

We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did. 

Chris and Beau break down two of the more important conversations in health and longevity right now — neuroscientist Dr. Wendy Suzuki and longevity physician Dr. Peter Attia, both from Diary of a CEO. Together they unpack what the latest science actually says about exercise, brain health, and the habits that move the needle on how long — and how well — we live. From VO2 max to dementia risk to the mindset shifts that make these changes stick, Chris and Beau translate the research into what it actually means for everyday life, training, and the way we age. A must-listen for anyone serious about playing the long game with their health.

https://youtu.be/ZxXruY7llcc?si=-HFYO8HIL4aCLRik

https://youtu.be/5o-tRub-0pQ?si=s4fht2hxJcTaGOAm

In this special episode of The Culture Standard, Chris and Beau sit down with the person who has been there by Chris’s side through it all—his wife, Jess.

Together for 16 years since they were 19 and 21, Jess has been a constant source of support through life’s highs and lows. From navigating seasons of depression, backing Chris through sport, business ventures and career changes, to raising three children together, their journey has been built on commitment, resilience and growth.

Jess shares her perspective on marriage, motherhood, overcoming challenges, and what it takes to build a strong family while facing life’s hardships together. Through every setback and success, their experiences have strengthened their relationship and shaped the values they live by today.

This conversation is an honest look at partnership, perseverance, and the power of having someone in your corner no matter what.

What if the biggest lever on the quality of your day, your mood and your relationships came down to one thing — the energy you choose to bring?

In this episode we break down The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon, the bestselling fable about a bloke at rock bottom who turns his life around after a chance encounter with a bus driver and her ten rules for living with positive energy. It's a simple story with a serious message: the energy you give out is the energy you get in return.

We get into what Gordon's ten rules actually look like in your own life — when you're trying to get out of a funk, build better habits, or just show up as a better version of yourself:

• ​You're the driver. Taking ownership of your direction and your focus instead of letting your circumstances steer.
• ​Fuel the ride. Gratitude, attitude and the daily habits that keep your tank full.
• ​Guard your energy. Spending less time with the people and thoughts that drain you, and more on the ones that lift you.
• ​Drive with purpose. Living with intent, looking after yourself, and actually enjoying the journey.

It ties straight back to the through-line of every book we've covered on the show — that fulfilment is built from the inside out. The energy you give out is the energy you get in return. Hop on.

Legends, This week we sit down with Steven Kretiuk — former Bulldogs player in the AFL and one of the more grounded blokes you'll come across.

On the field, Steven had the discipline, work rate, and toughness that AFL demands. But the reason we wanted him in the room wasn't the footy. It was the person behind it.

This conversation digs into the values that shaped him — the stuff that doesn't show up in a stat line. Integrity, humility, how he treats the people around him, and what he's carried with him long after the game. We talk about what it actually takes to stay true to yourself, the difference between being a good athlete and a good man, and the principles he leans on when things get hard.

Chris also Mentions and spends a bit time explaining how Steve has impacted him in a positive way in his life.

Whether you follow the game or not, this one's about character. Have a listen.

What does it take to have the courage to be yourself?

In this episode of The Culture Standard, we sit down with one of Australia’s most respected leaders, Peggy O’Neal AO.

Born and raised in the United States, Peggy shares the challenges of moving to Australia, building a life from scratch, and creating a strong sense of community despite having few connections when she arrived. Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of backing yourself, embracing change, and doing what you can, when you can.

Peggy has broken barriers throughout her career. She became the first female lawyer at her century-old law firm and later the first female President in AFL history, helping lead the Richmond Football Club through one of the most successful eras in its history, including three premierships.

But what stood out most to us wasn’t the list of achievements.

It was Peggy’s authenticity.

Her willingness to be herself. Her curiosity about people. Her ability to treat everyone with the same respect, regardless of their title, status, or background.

Throughout this conversation, Peggy shares wisdom on courage, belief, perspective, empathy, community, kindness, volunteering, reading, writing, and living a life of purpose.

This episode is packed with practical lessons and timeless advice from someone who has achieved extraordinary things while never losing sight of what matters most.

If you’ve ever wondered how to stay true to yourself while leading others, this conversation is for you.

Key themes:

• The courage to be yourself

• Building community and meaningful relationships

• Leadership and breaking barriers

• Perspective, empathy and kindness

• Doing what you can, when you can

• Volunteering and giving back

• Lifelong learning through reading and writing

• Creating a life of purpose and impact

We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.

The Culture Standard

In this episode, we break down the powerful ideas from Atomic Habits by James Clear and explore how small daily actions can create massive long-term change. We dive into the psychology of habits, identity-based growth, discipline, motivation, and why success is often less about big goals and more about consistent systems.

We discuss practical strategies from the book, including habit stacking, environment design, breaking bad habits, and the compounding effect of tiny improvements over time. Along the way, we also explore how modern distractions, dopamine, and routine shape our behavior more than we realize.

Whether you’re trying to improve your health, business, mindset, productivity, or relationships, this conversation breaks down how habits quietly determine the direction of your life — and how to take back control of them.

You know Beau’s story. Now meet the woman who lived it alongside him. Lucy Vernon — wife, mum of three, and clinical psychologist — joins the podcast for the first time to share her perspective on life after Beau’s injury. The adjustments, the heartbreak, the growth, and the moments nobody talks about. A conversation we’ve been waiting a long time to have.