Michael Brine, executive chef and co-owner of Touch of Salt, joins the podcast to reflect on 20 years of building one of Townsville’s most respected restaurants.

From opening Touch of Salt at just 26, to earning chef’s hats, navigating COVID, mentoring young chefs, and shaping Townsville’s food culture, Michael shares the lessons, challenges, and philosophy that have helped the restaurant stand the test of time.

In this conversation, we explore food, leadership, creativity, and what success looks like after two decades in hospitality.

If you’re from Townsville, work in hospitality, or are building a business that needs to last, this episode is well worth a listen.

In this episode of the Matt O’Hanlon Podcast, I sit down with Kellie Stephenson, the woman behind Support Local with Kellie and one of Townsville’s strongest advocates for small business and community connection.

Kellie shares her full journey, to selling everything and travelling Australia, to starting Support Local Townsville from a hospital bed and growing it into a movement used more than 330,000 times across social media.

We dive into what actually works on social media in a regional city like Townsville, why people here buy from people they trust, and the simple content rules most businesses still get wrong, especially when it comes to stories, consistency, and showing the human side of a brand.

This episode is a must watch for Townsville business owners, real estate agents, and anyone trying to build a personal or business brand in North Queensland.

Today on the Matt O’Hanlon Podcast we sit down with Natalie Marr, the Member for Thuringowa, to explore the stories, challenges and community spirit shaping Townsville.

Natalie shares her journey from growing up in Kelso to serving as a councillor, a volunteer, and now an MP. We talk about the early days in customer service, the lessons that shaped her leadership, and the people who influenced her path. Her passion for Thuringowa is clear, and her honesty about the realities of serving the community is refreshing.

In this episode we dive deep into crime, housing, volunteering, local identity, youth opportunity, and the future of Townsville. Natalie also opens up about the importance of early intervention, the state of social housing, and the real stories she hears while door knocking across the electorate.

If you love hearing real stories from real locals making a difference, this one is for you.

What happens when life hits harder than any opponent?

In this episode, Matt sits down with boxer, mum, and business owner Chloe Luby, who shares how stepping into the ring helped her rebuild after leaving a toxic relationship, find strength through discipline, and inspire others through her journey.

From running her local coffee van Frankie’s Bean to training for her professional boxing debut and the Breaking Point Challenge raising funds for The Cure Starts Now, Chloe’s story is one of grit, courage, and purpose.

Chloe’s courage over comfort mindset is a reminder that strength comes from showing up, not giving up.

 Follow Chloe: @chloeluby

Donate to The Cure Starts Now: https://thecurestartsnowau.kindful.com/?campaign=1237796

Eleni Millios-Hullick charts her path from pioneering Townsville restaurateur and precinct-builder to CEO of The Cure Starts Now, where she mobilises community, business and researchers to take on childhood brain cancer. She opens up about purposeful leadership, transparent advocacy, collaboration that breaks silos, and the city’s role in funding peer-reviewed research that punches above its weight. It’s a candid, energising look at how local action fuels global impact—and how choosing to be part of the solution can change lives.

In Episode 6 of The Matt O’Hanlon Podcast, we sit down with Steve McDonald, a leader in Townsville’s property scene for more than 20 years. From starting in property management in 2001 to building his own specialist agency across Townsville and the Sunshine Coast, Steve has faced the highs and lows of real estate from natural disasters like the 2019 floods, to market downturns, to the challenges of running a business through COVID.

Steve shares how resilience, culture, and community shaped his approach to leadership and property management. We explore his “Four Cs” philosophy (Care, Communication, Consistency, Confidence), the importance of service over sales, and how to build a strong team culture that lasts.

If you’re interested in leadership, real estate, or simply stories of resilience, this episode is packed with lessons you won’t want to miss.

What if the energy in your home could change your health, wealth, and happiness?

In this episode, we sit down with Feng Shui Master Jan Leese, who has spent over 30 years studying and practicing classical Feng Shui and Chinese astrology around the world. From helping her own son recover from illness through a simple room change, to guiding families and businesses with powerful transformations, Jan shares fascinating stories that show just how much our surroundings shape our lives.

We dive into:

• The surprising moment that first sparked Jan’s journey into Feng Shui
• Why the layout and “chi” of your home matters more than you think
• Practical tips to improve energy in your space right now
• How Feng Shui connects with health, relationships, and even business success
• What the new era of “fire energy” means for all of us moving forward

Jan’s wisdom is equal parts inspiring and practical — this conversation will have you looking at your own home and environment in a whole new way.

 Connect with Jan: theqiconsultant.com.au

In this episode, Matt O’Hanlon sits down with Janelle Poole, Member for Mundingburra and a former frontline police officer with nearly three decades of service in Townsville. From chasing offenders in a suit to running a campaign during cancer treatment, Janelle’s story is anything but ordinary.

She opens up about her unexpected leap into politics, her deep roots in the Townsville community, and why she believes leadership is about showing up, rolling up your sleeves, and doing the hard things — even when no one’s clapping.

Janelle also shares raw insights into her cancer diagnosis, the challenges of working in youth justice, and her mission to shift the narrative around young people and crime in North Queensland. It’s an unfiltered, inspiring conversation that captures the heart of Townsville and the resilience of someone who simply “gets shit done.”

Whether you’re into politics, community leadership, or just love a damn good yarn, this episode is for you.

Terry Campese, notable former NRL playmaker for the Canberra Raiders and international representative for Australia, NSW, and Italy, has reinvented himself as a community leader and mentor. Through the Terry Campese Foundation, founded in 2012, he drives youth empowerment across Canberra, Queanbeyan and beyond by building resilience, confidence, and purpose through mentorship and the "Breaking Point Challenge". Now settled in Townsville as coach of the Blackhawks, Terry brings his leadership insights and personal journey of adversity to inspire others.

In this episode, Matt O’Hanlon sits down with Brett Geiszler, Owner of Astute Financial Townsville West and one of North Queensland’s most experienced mortgage brokers. Since 1997, Brett has helped borrowers navigate the lending landscape across Townsville, Mackay and Central Queensland.

Brett shares his insights on where borrowers often get it wrong, where they get it right, and why a regular mortgage health check is more important than most people think. He also unpacks the hidden risks of services like Afterpay and how they can impact your ability to secure finance.

With access to more than 20 lenders and a commitment to simplifying the loan process, Brett’s philosophy is built on trust, transparency and doing what’s best for the client.

Whether you're buying, refinancing or just want to better understand how lending really works, this episode is packed with value.