Michelle Battersby. A literal powerhouse of a human. One of the hardest working people I know, intelligent and astute to the nth degree, a business woman who has a logical, pragmatic and highly considered approach to work and life, and well most things. Headhunted to helm the Australian arm of Bumble, Michelle took the biggest risk of her life when she left her HR job in corporate finance not knowing what was ahead, if the role was legitimate or if she was making a mistake. It paid off of course and by the end of that gamble Michelle grew the brand in Australia to 3 million users and launched Bumble in 4 other countries. If it wasn’t already evident, Michelle is brave and courageous and she left Bumble on a high to take on her current role as the Chief Marketing Officer of Keep it Cleaner here in Melbourne (lucky me!). Michelle is a woman who empowers other women, she is incredibly generous with her time and advice to other women in business and entrepreneurs and has become somewhat of an unofficial mentor to many, including me! Enjoy her insights and advice in today’s podcast where we talk about supporting other women, confidence vs self-doubt, anxiety, competing (with yourself) and the expectation of others, high risk for high reward and everything in between.

Nazeem Hussain is an Australian comedian, actor, television and radio presenter. He is best known as creator and star of both television comedy shows Legally Brown and Orange is the New Brown on SBS and Channel 7. He furthered his household name on “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here” on Channel 10 where he spent 6 weeks in a South African jungle to raise money for InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Domestic Violence. His Netflix special Nazeem Hussain: Public Frenemy began streaming worldwide in 2019 to global acclaim. He made his American TV debut as an official correspondent for both seasons of the hit Netflix series “Bill Nye Saves the World” and was also invited to perform at the prestigious Montreal ‘Just for Laughs Festival’ as a part of Kevin Hart’s LOL network. A regular on international stages, Nazeem has performed around the globe, including sell-out seasons at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, London’s Soho Theatre, all across New Zealand, Paris, Belgium, China, Singapore, Malaysia, the United States (including opening for Dave Chappelle in New York City), and a homecoming show in Sri Lanka to 2,500 people, including the Prime Minister and his wife. He has the courage to tackle issues like racism in Australia, political humour, race relations, Islamophobia and social commentary (on mainstream Australian television mind you!) through his artistry as a comedian. How dare he?! He’s also a part of the Desi Illuminati. What’s the “Desi Illuminati” you ask? Well I don’t know. But I want to be a part of it. Nazeem has single handedly made me feel like there may be a space for me in the Australian Entertainment Industry landscape after all and that if he can do it, maybe I can. He of course, calls me, a “glitch in the matrix” - whatever it is, we are both proud and equally stunned by each other and this is well, a bloody good laugh. Enjoy!

Georgie Stone. Who do you know that’s won a Medal of the Order of Australia at the age of 19? Not many, if any. Georgie is an Australian Actor, Transgender Rights Activist and an outright incredible individual. Just by virtue of being who she is, she changed history in Australia when at the age of 10, Georgie was the youngest person to receive hormone blockers in Australia which set a precedent that eventually changed the law that compelled transgender children and their families to apply to the Family Court of Australia to access stage one treatment in transitioning. Since then she has advocated for Transgender rights for children and beyond in ensuring rights, visibility and representation including requesting a role on the longest running and iconic television show in Australia, Neighbours, and securing it just a year later! Georgie is also a dear friend of mine and I feel truly grateful to have her not only as part of my “chosen” family in life but also my television family, where we have made history with groundbreaking storytelling. You’ll hear an articulate, incredibly intelligent and insightful woman in this one, I am forever learning with her as I believe you will too. 

Renowned Chef, DJ, and personality, Khanh Ong, a proud gay man, spent the first few years of his life with his family in an immigration camp as a refugee. We celebrate him as a BIPOC individual in honour of refugee week and pride month. You may remember Khanh appearing on global juggernaut Masterchef 2018, placing third and becoming an instant crowd favourite. Since then he has become part owner in restaurant/bar "The George on Collins", made numerous television appearances and continued to carve out a unique and stylish space in the Australian food industry. Most recently he made top 10 in Masterchef All Stars and has already released his first book, “A Gay Guys Guide to Life, Love, Food” as well the heartwarming “You Are Loved” t-shirt range with part proceeds from each shirt going to LGBTQIA+ youth charity Minus18. We talk about all of this, being "outcast" as a gay Vietnamese refugee, significant family tragedy, coming back to Masterchef a second time and the life experiences that make the wonderful Khanh, Khanh!

Ashleigh Gardner is an ELITE ATHLETE. A proud Muruwari Woman, she is the first Indigenous Australian woman to play an International World Cup, yet she hopes one day there won’t be a need to define her that way when representation transcends. We have chats about her mindset, her motivation, her journey to get here, the challenges she has faced, the politics and psychology surrounding women in sport and the scrutiny and pressures from the media, socials and community in “flag bearing”. She has the ability to be honest in identifying her shortcomings and her need for an attitude adjustment when she was younger as a result of having crazy natural talent as a cricketer and not having to "work hard". It cannot be denied that she is a trailblazer and a leader in every way. She states: “When sport in Australia is a massive part of our culture, people (no matter whether you like it or not) will always will look up to you and you’ve always got to be setting a good example whether you are on the cricket field or not - and that’s something I really enjoy that we’re able to do now as elite athletes - inspiring kids who see us as their role model”. You bloody legend, Ash!

Shane Jenek, who you might be more familiar with as Courtney Act IS one of Australia's (if not the worlds) most beloved and well-known drag queens. He is also a pop singer, entertainer, reality television personality and now by virtue of our show, an actor! What you may not know is the man behind Courtney is coming out (pardon the pun) after 20 years in the spotlight (and caught in the act!), and Shane is one of the most intelligent, well-spoken, articulate, genuine and spiritual human beings I have had the pleasure of speaking with. I have also had the absolute pleasure of sharing the screen with this beautiful human on my show, Neighbours of which Courtney and Shane star in episodes launching today through to Friday. Must watch!
* I would also like to note that given the current climate and the incredible struggles our brothers and sisters are facing in America (and around the world) right now, where Shane is currently living, you can understand our hearts and attention are focused there - we talk about that, our privilege, uncomfortability and what we have learned too. Sending love as always, and perhaps more than ever today.

This week on We Are The Real Ones, it get s a little personal when I introduce you to not only one of my work colleagues (where work meets play and play meets work yada yada yada) but one of my professional, and you could say, personal mentors, the man himself - Alan Fletcher! As you may already know, I am an actor currently starring on Australia's longest running (35 years young!) and most iconic television show, Neighbours. I started the show 4 years ago and I still recall the very first day when I met the kindest, most selfless, supportive and encouraging actor I have ever met in my professional career, it was Alan. He has played the infamous Dr Karl Kennedy for 25 years (can you believe it) but has also managed to somehow navigate a wonderful life and career prior to the show (and during his tenure) including a 30 year strong marriage and 2 wonderful children. He talks about all of this, as well as some very personal home truths in relation to losing his way, having a crisis of confidence, finding himself again, mental health issues, staying creative and navigating criticism and relationships with some great advice for all. He's actually a national treasure! Love ya, Fletch! x

You may think you know her as the wife of Australian Football League Legend, Chris Judd. I don't. I know her as Bec Judd - a juggernaut in her own right who wears and has worn many different hats in the course of her continuing career. Model, speech pathologist, television presenter, author, fashionista, business owner, radio presenter, wife, but perhaps most importantly (in her words), she is the mother of four beautiful children (two of which are twins!). Dude, how does she do it all?! We talk about that, and everything in between, here.

Rachel Griffiths is a global superstar and the definition of a "Powerhouse". She has carved (and is still carving) the ultimate dream acting career one could hope for, breaking out in the Aussie iconic royalty film "Muriel's Wedding", followed by a successful stint in the United Kingdom and then landing arguably the most sought after jobs in the acting world in Hollywood - five years on "Six Feet Under" followed by another five years on "Brothers and Sisters". She is an ACADEMY AWARD Nominee, GOLDEN GLOBE Winner and Multiple Time Nominee, EMMY AWARD Nominee, SAG AWARD Twice Winner and Multiple Time Nominee, AACTA AWARD Twice Winner and Multiple Time Nominee, HELPMANN AWARD Winner and MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA, to name a few. She has also managed to have three children (and a Husband) during this time, and has advocated for a plethora of causes and initiatives and continues to contribute to the Australian Arts industry by not only supporting, but creating work as a writer, director and actor. She has a wicked self-deprecating sense of humour and an incredible intelligence and depth in communication whilst baring her soul and much more in conversation. She openly talks about shame and the adversity she has faced on her perceived illustrious journey. She is magic.

PART 2: Who is she? You may of heard of her most recently through her appointment as the FIRST female judge on the biggest TV show in Australia and definitely the most successful of it’s franchise in the world – MASTERCHEF Australia! But there is way more to her than that, she’s been a freelance food and travel writer, food media consultant, radio broadcaster, television presenter on SBS’s the Chef’s Line, MC, cookbook editor and author for years – her work history almost mirrors  her motto “will eat anything once”.  Her rise to success hasn’t been as smooth as you’d imagine as she too has experienced adversity and severe downs on her rise up. In this podcast she is vulnerable and candid about her reservations on saying "yes" to the job of a lifetime (Masterchef), her view on family and having kids, how her Chinese Singaporean heritage shaped her, her mental health breakdown and time therapy, her views on fashion, diversity and inclusivity and oh, so much more. This woman’s intelligence, raw honesty, articulation and incredible ability to communicate truth is beautifully captivating AND she has personality for days!  Trust me, you’re gonna wanna be her best friend after this. ENJOY.
*Note - AS THIS A SPECIAL EDITION PODCAST (the launch and first) IT IS LENGTHIER THAN USUAL and split into two cards.