The Dialogue

Barry Du Bois is a man of many talents. He started his career as a tradie, working his way up into a successful property developer and today he graces our TV screens as one of Channel 10's favourite reno personalities on The Living Room.

But it hasn't always been that easy, in fact lots of his journey has been peppered with challenges that most people have never had to face. Barry shares his story from growing up in a fibro house next to a six stack highway to his battle with cancer and his surrogacy journey with wife Leonie.

An awe inspiring interview with one of Australia loved personalities.

Articulate, erudite and informed not to mention beautifully styled Jan Land is a woman of intelligence and vision. She was a member of Mensa before she was 10 and enrolled at University at 15 to do medicine. But a sneaky turn of events had her following a broadcasting career that spanned the BBC and the ABC for many years. She was instrumental as the media and technology consultant to the Sydney 2000 Bid Committee as well as being the video communications strategist for Federal Government. Jan pioneered introduction and implementation of digital compression technologies and developed and implemented tele-health applications. Interestingly her first love was always medicine. I think Jan is just a superb achiever and shows us that you can have a balanced life with a top career, children and grandchildren and remain relevant as a woman throughout the entire journey.

Dr Malcolm Linsell was born into a Salvation Army family who migrated from place to place sharing their passion for giving back. No wonder he became a doctor. As a very young boy he badly burnt his hands on a stove top, little did he know that this painful act would shape his future. Malcolm shares with us his journey from a young boy with a dream to a top plastic surgeon and he talks about why he left medicine to join a commercial cult and how his first love saved him from ruin. Featured on 60 minutes with his biggest success story Wesley, Malcolm includes us in his compelling and heartwarming journey. Look out for his book. "An Ordinary Man, an extraordinary life" by Dr Malcolm Linsell. Published by New Holland.

Kobi Bokshish offers us a candid look at a life lived with few barriers. Strong willed and determined he fell in love with hairdressing the first time he held the clippers. After emerging from an army jail in Israel Kobi was directionless until he was steered into the army hair salon. He has honed his craft over many years, in many countries and he still loves what he does. As the creative director of large brands he is responsible for emerging trends and helping to push his industry to grow and thrive. But nothing gives him more pleasure than his charity event each year called Hair Raise where he raises money for a number of charities. He is also a passionate industry supporter working with groups on legislation and improving the image of the hairdressing industry. As if this is not enough he is also a partner in an innovative business that has developed an eco-friendly shower head for salons and he is working on initiatives to improve the industry. Warm, funny and brilliant this is a fascinating interview.

To say this was an incredible interview on The Dialogue is an understatement. Joan Philips is a celebrated child and family psychologist. She pioneered working with children and families launching successful initiatives in her home country South Africa. Now a young 98 she has a memory that would leave you gasping as well as a beautiful energy and sense of humour. We follow Joan from her childhood town of Bethal where she taught herself to read at 7 through her school career and admittance to University at 14. At the age of 22 after studying in London at the London School of Economics she returned to Johannesburg and set up her practice as a child psychologist. During the apartheid years Joan and her husband fought for equality and justice while both building stellar careers. All I can say is Thank you Joan it was an honour to interview you.

Elly Bradbury is a woman of many talents. Her career spans storytelling (film) to working with top celebrities on critical aid ventures around the world. Listing some of her friends as Hugh Jackman and his wife Deborra Lee Furness, Rebecca Gibney and Fifi Box Elly has experienced the world of riches and poverty. Working on critical aid projects allowed her to see first hand what the world has to offer in terms of hardship and it was an eye opening experience. She used many of her skills gleaned travelling in marginalised countries when her husband was diagnosed with cancer and she decide to help him fulfill his travel bucket list. Terrified he would not make the trip successfully she had the details down pat taking into account all the possible outcomes. Having spend her career and personal life experiencing pain and suffering Elly knows all too well how important it is to remain grounded and to continue to pursue challenges and keep giving back. An inspiring interview that puts life into perspective.

Award winning Sustainable Architect Caroline Pidcock is a force within the sustainable architectural landscape. Her accolades are impressive, she launched her own firm Pidcock which specialises in sustainable architecture. And she has been instrumental in informing, transforming and educating consumers, students and government bodies on how to create a sustainable environment. Caroline lectures and sits on boards across many different universities and companies and yet is down to earth and realistic. She is an advocate for public transport and is the cofounder of Origination which is actively commercialising a modular prefabricated flatpack building system. Caroline offers a beautiful combination of strength and understanding, of acceptance and humility. She is one of the best people I know.

Mia Feasey is the owner and founder of Siren Design an award winning commercial interior design firm in Sydney, Singapore and Melbourne. Mia shares her journey from the early years in London to her debut as a girl band member and from mother to world class business owner creating commercial interiors for Google, Lonely Planet and Twitter. Mia shares her successes and failures in this candid interview. Having overcome the challenges of adoption, loss and hormones, Mia is a stand out remarkable woman. Her interview is inspiring.

Kylie loves to learn, in fact she has decided that once the work slows down she will be heading off to Uni to learn as much as she can. As a top recruitment professional who knows what it is like to watch a loved business crash during the GFC, Kylie has turned her talents to recruiting for Board roles. Her business the Directors Institute placed over 2500 Board members in 2015. Her passion for her industry is evident as is her desire to see more women stepping up for Board roles. Kylie takes us from her home town in Perth to her travels and finally landing in Sydney. Through sheer tenacity she has succeed twice and her story will motivate you to never give up.

Jan Latta is an accomplished author, photographer, publisher and businesswoman. She has stared danger in the face during her epic travels to photograph endangered wildlife. Jan has published 15 books on endangered animals all illustrated with her own photographs taken around the world. She is an incredible educational crusader, teaching children in schools about endangered animals and how vital they are for our world. Listen to Jan share her incredible life journey and be inspired.