Jake Whittaker is an Australian Country Music Artist whose journey has taken him far beyond his Logan Reserve roots in South East Queensland. Growing up surrounded by open space, dirt bikes, and a tight-knit group of mates, Jake developed a strong work ethic early on while helping out in the family business. It was during those years that he discovered a deep love for country music—a passion that followed him through university on the Gold Coast and into his first live gigs and festival slots.

But like many artists, Jake hit a point where the flame started to fade. He took a step back from performing and set off on a new adventure, traveling through Asia and later Europe in a tour van, chasing freedom and fresh inspiration. When the pandemic cut his travels short, Jake returned home—and unexpectedly reignited his passion for music.

During lockdowns, he connected with fans through live performances on social media, and as restrictions eased, he returned to the stage with a renewed sense of purpose. In 2025, he brought that energy to the national spotlight as a standout performer on Australian Idol, making it the Top 6 of the competition and setting the stage for the next chapter of his career in country music.

https://linktr.ee/roadswalkedpodcast

Carl Wockner’s journey from small-town Bundaberg to the global music stage is one of grit, heart, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity. As the eldest of four kids, he grew up working alongside his father, a builder, while constantly surrounded by music. Though he pursued a degree in primary education, music was always in the background—performing gigs around Bundaberg and the Sunshine Coast to make ends meet while studying.After becoming a qualified teacher, Carl faced a crossroads and made the bold decision to chase music full-time. Feeling that his unique sound wasn’t fully embraced in Australia, he relocated to Nashville, Tennessee—where his artistry finally found its home. Since then, he’s traveled the world performing, building a loyal audience with his heartfelt style and dynamic presence.

Offstage, Carl is a big fan of pickleball and golf, finding balance and fun between shows. In this episode, he opens up about leaving the safe path, the challenges of being an original voice, and what it means to truly follow your passion.https://linktr.ee/roadswalkedpodcast

Maddy’s story is one of resilience, hustle, and unapologetic authenticity. Growing up in Logan, she was never one to fit the mold. School didn’t inspire her, but sport did — and her love for soccer saw her chasing big dreams from a young age. At just 16, she was selected to represent Australia in futsal and traveled to Brazil, an experience that opened her eyes to the world beyond her hometown.But life took an unexpected turn when she fell pregnant at 18. Thrust into adulthood overnight, Maddy had to grow up fast. Instead of letting it stop her, she used it as fuel. She studied beauty, started her own business, and carved out a future for herself and her two kids — all as a single mum determined to succeed on her own terms.EnterTy AveryWhen the world shut down during COVID, Maddy’s creativity kicked in. Drawing from her roots, her sense of humour, and her unfiltered outlook on life, she launched Cuntry Duds — a bold, cheeky, and proudly Australian clothing brand that’s since gained a cult following. What started as a passion project in a pandemic has turned into a thriving business, built on authenticity and a deep connection with her community.Maddy is raw, real, and fiercely independent — a woman who’s taken every twist life threw her and turned it into something powerful. Her journey is proof that you don’t have to follow the rules to make something incredible — you just have to back yourself.linktr.ee/roadswalkedpodcast

Ryan Hocking was born in Melbourne but spent much of his early life moving around Australia and overseas, following his father’s career as a mechanical engineer. Home-schooled through his travels, Ryan discovered a passion for sound and audio, eventually landing a traineeship that opened the door to a career in the industry.His skills took him across the world, working on cruise ships and running live shows, combining his love of travel and production. Along the way, he also earned his truck licence, which proved to be a lifeline when the pandemic hit and the entertainment industry came to a halt. Ryan pivoted into transport, securing a role with Followmont Transport, but never let go of his creative side. Today, he balances life on the road with running Pod Perfect Productions, his own company dedicated to editing, setting up, and launching podcasts for others wanting to share their stories.linktr.ee/roadswalkedpodcast

Born and raised on the Gold Coast, Kirby Heck was always known as the friendly face at school, though he wasn’t quite sure where life would take him after graduation. He found his footing in real estate, moving between agencies while figuring things out. A holiday to Canada gave him time to reset and explore a different path—banking. But eventually, Kirby found himself drawn back to real estate, where he also began confronting challenges with his mental health.Everything changed when he met Liam Kirkpatrick. The two quit their jobs and launched Shared Minds Podcast—a raw, real, and relatable show focused on mental health. Now, they’re on track to become Australia’s #1 mental health podcast, and Kirby’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the power of honest conversation.linktr.ee/roadswalkedpodcast

This is it fight fans! The moment everyone has been waiting for! The Unofficial Podcast Royale 2.0 Breakdown is here and we are covering every fight on the card! Ty from The Roads We've Walked Podcast, Jimmy from Can't Get Any Worse Podcast and Matty from Meraki Podcast sit down and breakdown the Podcast Royale 2.0 happening on 26th April 2025.

We had call ins from fighters who are fighting on the card and got there thoughts on their fights, how they were training and how things have been for them leading up to the big event! This is a must listen epsiode! We hope you enjoy it as much as we had fun recording it!

https://linktr.ee/roadswalkedpodcast

Born and raised in Canberra, Liam Kilpatrick was never one to focus on school. After his father left at a young age, he found himself drawn into the party lifestyle during his late teenage years. A holiday to the Gold Coast turned into a permanent move, where he worked multiple jobs before eventually finding his footing in real estate. During his time in the industry, he met his good mate Kirby Heck, forming a friendship that would later lead to something bigger.Now, Liam is the co-host of The Shared Minds Podcast, a show dedicated to open conversations about mental health and life’s challenges. In this episode, he shares his personal journey—the highs, the lows, and the lessons that shaped him along the way.
https://linktr.ee/roadswalkedpodcast

On this episode of The Roads We’ve Walked Podcast, we sit down with Chad Dowling, whose journey is a testament to resilience and reinvention. Struggling through a tough childhood and school life, Chad found solace in sports, excelling in rugby league and touch football. His talent led him to trial for representative teams and play semi-professionally for the Easts Tigers.When his playing career didn’t unfold as planned, Chad shifted his focus to personal training, starting at well-known gyms like F45 and Goodlife. Determined to build something of his own, he began training clients from a home gym before growing his business—Strength By Chad (SBC Training)—into a thriving operation in a commercial gym in Yarrabilba.Join us as Chad shares his journey of overcoming adversity, embracing change, and turning passion into purpose

https://linktr.ee/roadswalkedpodcast

After been inspired by Bryze from The Deadass Podcast about updating his listeners on what's going on in life, i thought I'd do the same. We got to talking about the Podcast Royale that's coming up in April, goals for the podcast and achievements. Also the reason as to why I haven't been as consistent as I would like to be, what's going on in life. talked about different episodes and events that's are coming up in life. another podcast that I'm looking at starting as well. And also some shoutouts to some amazing people and some other awesome podcasts in this amazing community.

linktr.ee/roadswalkedpodcast

Born and raised in Port Macquarie as the youngest of four, Alex Vallentine has always been immersed in the world of sport. From an early age, he excelled in rugby and cricket, a passion that led him to pursue a degree in Sports Management. His love for rugby took him abroad to the U.S. and UK, where he played at a competitive level before returning to Australia to manage state-level hockey. Alex’s career reached new heights when he became CEO of Combat Australia, working closely with athletes who represented Australia on the world stage at the Commonwealth Games and Olympics. A seasoned attendee of international sporting events, Alex was even the first on the scene of a motorbike accident during the Rio 2016 Olympics.Away from his professional life, Alex continues to fuel his love for cricket, playing in the “Last Man Stands” league with his team, Fargoff You’re Out. With a career marked by leadership, adventure, and an unwavering passion for sport, Alex embodies the spirit of athletic dedication.https://linktr.ee/roadswalkedpodcast