The Soda Room

The Soda Room
  • 4.8 (36)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The real stories behind some of the biggest names in the game.

  1. 15 JAN

    #24 Cooper Spillane

    After being born without one of the two bones in his lower left leg, Cooper endured countless painful operations and procedures throughout his first 12 years. As it became harder and harder for him to keep playing basketball, the sport he loves, Cooper stunned parents Renee and Matt when he told them he wanted to have the leg amputated. It was a decision he didn't make lightly. Cooper's maturity, courage and tenacity is remarkable, and before he had become a teenager, he became an amputee. Now, at 18 years of age, Cooper is living a great life. He's taken the wheelchair basketball world by storm and is well on the way to achieving his dream of becoming a Paralympian.

    40 min

  2. 11/12/2025

    #23 Phil Smyth (Part 1)

    Phil Smyth is a bone fide Australian sporting legend. The basketball great has a super impressive CV that boasts more than 350 games with the Boomers, appearances at 4 Olympics and 5 World Champs, plus 6 NBL titles as a player and coach.  However, his influence goes well beyond the court, ‘The General’ is now an invaluable mentor and confidant to some amazingly successful coaches, including Brisbane’s dual AFL premiership boss Chris Fagan, and two-time SANFL premiership coach turned Port Adelaide AFL assistant Darren Reeves.

    55 min

  3. 11/12/2025

    #23 Phil Smyth (Part 2)

    Phil Smyth is a bone fide Australian sporting legend. The basketball great has a super impressive CV that boasts more than 350 games with the Boomers, appearances at 4 Olympics and 5 World Champs, plus 6 NBL titles as a player and coach.  However, his influence goes well beyond the court, ‘The General’ is now an invaluable mentor and confidant to some amazingly successful coaches, including Brisbane’s dual AFL premiership boss Chris Fagan, and two-time SANFL premiership coach turned Port Adelaide AFL assistant Darren Reeves.

    34 min

  4. 04/12/2025

    #22 Michelle Buxton

    Coming from a long line of academics, professionals and general all-round ground breakers, Michelle Buxton is living a remarkable life. Starting out as an accountant and stockbroker, Michelle searched for something more fulfilling and pivoted into entertainment and the arts.   Along with husband Andrew Walker, Michelle worked with Australian music royalty, taking Men At Work and The Black Sorrows to the world.   On top of all that, Michelle created the iconic Garden of Unearthly Delights at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Since 2000, the Garden has become the heartbeat of the festival, bringing some of the world’s best comedians and performers to a whole new audience.

    1h 4m

  5. 27/11/2025

    #21 Darren Reeves

    From NSW-born international cricket hopeful to Port Adelaide assistant coach in Australia's highest profile sporting competition, Darren Reeves is leading a remarkable life. He smashed international bowlers around the park in India and then turned his focus to coaching Aussie Rules football where he took Glenelg to back-to-back premierships in the SANFL, the best state league competition in the country. 'Reeva' opens up on his coaching philosophies and how he made his super successful switch from cricket to footy.

    1h 8m

  6. 21/11/2025

    #20 Paul Vasileff (Part 2)

    From making dresses out of wrapping paper at the age of three to showcasing his magnificent collections on the world stage, Paul Vasileff's journey so far is nothing short of remarkable. His label, Paulo Sebastian, is worn by some of the biggest stars on the planet, yet Australia's king of couture remains humble, down-to-earth, and true to the people who have supported him as he chased his dream. Paul's story is one of persistence, resilience, creativity and passion. He is an absolute inspiration to so many and there are many more chapters still to be written.

    50 min

  7. 20/11/2025

    #20 Paul Vasileff (Part 1)

    From making dresses out of wrapping paper at the age of three to showcasing his magnificent collections on the world stage, Paul Vasileff's journey so far is nothing short of remarkable. His label, Paulo Sebastian, is worn by some of the biggest stars on the planet, yet Australia's king of couture remains humble, down-to-earth, and true to the people who have supported him as he chased his dream. Paul's story is one of persistence, resilience, creativity and passion. He is an absolute inspiration to so many and there are many more chapters still to be written.

    47 min
  8. #19 Ian & Seb Steel

    11/03/2023

    #19 Ian & Seb Steel

    Ian & Seb SteelIan Steel is the founder of ‘Kickstart for Kids’. A charity he created more than a decade ago to provide breakfast at schools for children doing it tough. It has since evolved into a host of fantastic programs and services that give kids the support they need to get a great start on life. More than 60,000 breakfasts are provided in schools across South Australia each week.You’d think Ian would have a truckloads of good karma coming his way, but life doesn’t always work like that.18 months ago, Ian’s son Seb, then 19 years old, suffered a horrific accident that caused enormous physical and emotional damage to not just Seb, but the whole Steel family.Over the ensuing year and a half, the Steels have endured a rollercoaster of emotions that have pushed them to their absolute limits. I am so grateful to Ian and Seb for courageously sharing their story with us for the very first time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 8m
See All (26)

Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

The real stories behind some of the biggest names in the game.

Information

  • Creator
    The Soda Room
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Soda Room
  • Show Website
    The Soda Room

You Might Also Like