By Deborah Blashki- Marks
4
44 ratings
The podcast currently has 166 episodes available.
Ben Shewry
Chef Ben Shewry strives for truth in life and perfection in his new memoir, Uses for Obsession.
This year marks 19 years for Ben Shewry’s Ripponlea fine-diner Attica, a restaurant whose legacy was built on imagination and creative fearlessness. It also marks the release of his second book, a memoir aptly titled Uses for Obsession. “Ultimately,” says Shewry, “this book is about using imagination and creativity to solve problems”.
Uses for Obsession is Shewry’s second book. Despite containing three recipes for Bolognese ( love) and the 10 commandments that make for a good one, Shewry insists it isn’t really about food. “It’s also about the search for the meaning in everything,” he says. “Really this book is not just about food; it is about an acute dislike of bullshit.”
I come from a long line of storytellers, and in my childhood, the way we communicated was through stories. It was how we coped with the difficult things that were happening, how we brought light and humour to those moments, the way we connected. Sharing ridiculous situations and turning them into humour was a source of entertainment for our extended family. To bring to life a story is to feel that you are not alone.
I was also motivated to write a book that defied the tough-guy energy that is unfortunately still so often associated with chefs – okay, male chefs – at the top of their game.
The pitch to the publisher was… My incredible publisher Murdoch Books pitched to me. They visited and asked me what I’d like to write about, and I said, “Well, definitely not a cookbook, and it could be this or that”. I then went and wrote something totally different to what was discussed, which I think is appropriate when writing a book; writers should go where the process takes them, but this requires a high level of trust from a publisher. I feel fortunate to have the immense support of a group of people who totally believed in my ability to deliver something meaningful to them, to an audience of readers, and audiobook listeners. (By the way, I narrated my book, which was really important to me and a total thrill.) The main thing I learnt writing it was that having courage and telling the truth is the most important thing an author can do. Truth is what writing deserves, nothing less. WithUses for Obsession, I have tried to honour that truth. That requires a writer to go down rabbit holes, and to sit with deep discomfort for extended periods of time to reflect upon their actions, and of the things happening around them. Even more so when an author has been critical of power structures and systems, in the ways that I have. To write an honest book requires a level of fearlessness, owning your own culpability, and an ability to see the world as a bigger place than something that just serves any one individual’s needs.
Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/
Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk
Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850
Anthony “Kouta” Koutoufides is a former award winning AFL player and a Carlton Football Club legend, playing over 270 games for the club. Anthony was often referred to as the ‘Prototype of the Modern Footballer’ as he was notably athletic and versatile, allowing him to play almost every position throughout his career.
Koutoufides – who insisted he was independent and not in any way aligned with the Liberal Party – said he was committed to bringing Melbourne “back alive”.
“Where are the people? People don’t come in. It’s too hard. It’s not enticing,” he said.
He said he was also familiar with adversity. In his footy career, he underwent a 10-day “torture camp” at which he cried nearly every day.
“I had to endure quite a bit, but if you have that goal and love for it, you push through,” he said.
One of Koutoufides’ primary policies is to take on the work-from-home culture and force CBD-based employees back into the office at least four days a week.
Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/
Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk
Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850
Michael Klim is an entrepreneur and head of the Klim Foundation best known for being and awesome guitar strumming and pumping Olympic swimming gold medallist.
In July 2022, Klim revealed that he had been diagnosed with the auto-immune disorder which affected his legs and feet and left him struggling to walk unassisted. Based in Bali the journey has been tough but there seems some light
With the release of his new Memoir Klim the 47-year-old discusses his struggles as an elite athlete with a debilitating autoimmune illness and how writing his memoir is part of his healing .. a moving and inspiring story he also
Talks about his adventurous grandmother from the Communist bloc in Poland, the woman who taught him how to swim and how he met and has now united with his current partner Michelle Owen on a mission to find a cure and help others tackle the disease
Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/
Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk
Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850
It takes courage to stand up and that is what Eylon Levy has done since Oct 7
As the cultural wars rage across media platforms he has used his skills intelligence and even humour to tell the world about the siege that has engulfed Israel but the global Jewish community
He is a former Israeli Government Spokesman, who became one of the most prominent voices for Israel in the October 7 War with Hamas. He previously served as the international media advisor President Isaac Herzog after a career as a TV news anchor. Born and raised in the UK, he studied at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge before making Aliyah and serving in the IDF. He is now the host of the State of a Nation podcast.
Welcome to Australia Eylon I see you are embracing this big beautiful community and welcome to the WhatIveLearntPodcast
Grateful as this is an intense time for us all
The devastating news about hostage including the young Hersh Polin Goldberg has rocked the global Jewish community I interviewed Rachel his brave beautiful mother she was extraordinary !
How do we process that young people went to a music festival and were murdered?
Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/
Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk
Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850
Molly Ness is a former classroom teacher, a reading researcher, and a teacher educator. She earned a doctorate in reading education at the University of Virginia, and spent 16 years as an associate professor at Fordham University in New York City. The author of five books, Molly serves on the Board of Directors for the International Literacy Association and is a New York state chapter founder of the Reading League. Dr. Ness has extensive experience in reading clinics, consulting with school districts, leading professional development, and advising school systems on research-based reading instruction. She is the creator of the End Book Deserts podcast, which brings awareness to the 32 million American children who lack access to books.
That’s 32 milllion in the US alone!!
Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/
Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk
Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850
Simone O’Brien is a domestic violence survivor, speaker, strong advocate for women against violence, and mother of three beautiful children.
Her journey started in 2012 when she suffered a horrific attack at the hands of a perpetrator who would not take “no” for an answer. It started with emotional and psychological abuse and ended up with her being beaten with a baseball bat to within inches of her life.
Somehow, with the support of family and friends, Simone got through that night and today, she travels Internationally and around Australia to share her story of courage and strength, to raise awareness on the red flags related to domestic violence and prevent these incidences from happening again.
Using her personal story of determination, resilience, courage and strength, Simone aims to champion non-violence against women and children. Together, let’s stop domestic violence.
Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/
Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk
Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850
Mia Findlay, Founder and Principal Coach | Australia
Mia is deeply passionate about helping others reach the same freedom she now enjoys without her eating disorder. She has worked in the eating disorder advocacy field for nine years and has been working with clients as a coach since launching Beyond Body in December 2017. Mia is based in Sydney and has worked closely with The Butterfly Foundation, Australia's leading eating disorder body, as their Ambassador since February 2018. She takes a direct, compassionate and evidence seeking approach to recovery. Mia runs a YouTube channel and Instagram page dedicated to spreading recovery hope and awareness for eating disorders.
And make no mistake, there’s a lot of bizarre advice on TikTok clocking up billions of views – like the baby food diet!
“I used to hate holidays. Dreaded bikinis, photos, new food. I'd plan to lose x amount of weight by the time the holiday began. I'd believe, in my soul, that I'd be happier then. That I could really enjoy myself.
And here's the worst part... so many girls feeling this way
Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/
Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk
Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850
The Stella Prize CEO - Fiona Sweet
Fiona is the former Artistic Director and CEO of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale responsible for the programming and curation of three Biennales. She founded the National Centre for Photography in Ballarat and was the inaugural director.
Founder of Sweet Creative, and co-founder of Melbourne’s Acland Street Projection Festival, she is a former Board Director of the Australian Graphic Design Association, the Melbourne Fringe.
Fiona is the recipient of many prestigious design awards and has been identified as one of the top 25 women to have made a significant contribution to Australian graphic design.
Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/
Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk
Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850
Anna Grosman, creator and owner is relaunching a new male escort agency - HER CONFIDANT. In its new incarnation, HER CONFIDANT will also cater to women who are looking for companionship in any form: emotional, sexual or for company on a date. "I want to provide a safe space for women to explore their desires and feel desired," says Anna. "There are no agencies like mine - which provide quality, substance and a safe, secure option. Women want many things which we can provide: to feel passion and to be desired; to feel the human touch; or sometimes, just to be listened to, without it necessarily leading to something physical."
An empty-nester in her early 50s, Anna loves connecting people and networking. She has just
celebrated her 30 year wedding anniversary with her husband, who she met when she was 17. Not all women will use Anna's agency for sex; statistically, around 30 percent are after companionship and dates. But the vetting process remains the same. "Men are chosen because they have a genuine desire for all types of women." Anna is passionate about reducing, and ultimately removing, the stigma that's attached to the sex industry. "There is still so much inequality in terms of sexuality and accessing services for sex. Female sex work is one of the oldest professions in existence, yet male escort work - and women accessing this service - are still very stigmatized. Women are more than ever in control of their lives. They make their own money and can make their own choices of how they want to spend it. It can either be a LV Bag
or a life changing experience. It's their choice." *Providing a space for women to have sex in a safe and non judgemental space is one of the most rewarding aspects of this work. So many women have unfortunately experienced sexual
trauma and this service provides a space for them to feel safe, secure, and sexual." The agency will be specialising in servicing women with a unique selection of male companions from all over the world. Anna likes to call it "Her Selection Box of the Finest Assortment of Chocolates". And of course, there will be the professionalism, discretion, privacy and quality of service as previously.
Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/
Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk
Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850
Suzy Zail has worked as a litigation lawyer, specialising in Family Law, but now writes full time. Among other titles, she has written The Tattooed Flower, a memoir about her father’s time as a child survivor of the Holocaust. Her first novel for young adults, The Wrong Boy, was short-listed for the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Awards, the Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature, the WAYRBA, USBBY and YABBA awards. Her second novel, Alexander Altmann A10567, was a Notable Book at the CBCA Awards. Her third YA novel, I Am Change, was written after a trip to Uganda and tells the story of a young Ugandan girl’s struggle to stay in school.
In 2022 Suzy published her first Picture Book, Arabella’s Alphabet Adventure. In 2023 her most recent YA novel, Inkflower, was released, and has been short-listed for the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) 2024 Book of the Year Awards for Older Readersand longlisted for the Centre for Youth Literature’s Book Link’s Award for Children’s historical fiction. Suzy’s books have been published in Europe, the UK and U.S. She lives in Melbourne and has three children. You can visit her online at suzyzail.com.au and @suzyzailauthor
Storytelling takes courage whether it’s your own or sometimes even more so when you’re responsible for telling others the honour is a great one. Something I think we both relate to.
Suzy and I were recently part of a live event raising funds for the OCRF as part of the Witchery white shirt campaign it was inspiring and we discussed the power of hope and faith in storytelling -
Your wrote a powerful story honouring your fathers journey through a devastating illness tell us about how that shaped your own path and lessons learnt.
Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/
Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk
Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850
The podcast currently has 166 episodes available.
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