Rambling: Good blokes, great conversations.

Shunter & 8Ball

Rambling is about discovering good things blokes are doing in our local communities. Shunter and 8-Ball are two old mates who love to explore stories of men doing good things in our local - and particularly regional - communities. We love to scratch beneath the surface of our local communities to see what stories lie beneath, Each episode we kick off a conversation about life as a bloke in the modern world and see where it leads us. We typically cover topics such as family, business, mental health, music, literature, and sport. Our conversations are rambling, fun and insightful. Become a member on Patreon to access ad-free episodes, early access to episodes, exclusive content, and our Rambling community. Follow us on Instagram

  1. 15 hrs ago

    Rambling Rewind: #41 Mary O'Brien

    In this Rambling Rewind we go back to episode #41 and what is possibly the most important conversation we've had on Rambling. In this episode we spoke to Mary O'Brien, the founder and driving force behind "Are You Bogged Mate?", a charity helping tackle the alarming suicide rates among men and especially in rural areas. Mary is on a mission to save blokes' lives. "Are You Bogged Mate?" is a not-for-profit organisation that fights male suicide and helps blokes tackle depression and mental health issues on their terms. Mary grew up in South West Queensland and has spent her life working in or with farming communities. She became alarmed at the high rate of suicide among men in regional areas which set her on a path to dedicate her working life to shining a light on why men are committing suicide in such high numbers and to provide men in regional communities with an opportunity to face up to and talk about their issues in an environment that works for them. Mary's approach is forthright, no-nonsense and brutally honest. She is not afraid to say what she thinks and she looks at the issues from the blokes' perspective rather than to try and force an outside agenda on to them. This is a refreshing chat about a difficult and alarming issue that affects all blokes, their families, and their local communities. To learn more about Are You Bogged Mate or the Bogged Brakes program at the below links. https://areyouboggedmate.com.au/ https://areyouboggedmate.com.au/bogged-brakes

    Rambling Rewind: #41 Mary O'Brien

  2. 28 July

    Rambling Rewind: #25 Warwick Sadler

    Our latest Rambling Rewind takes us back to episode 25 where we chat with stuntman, animal lover, and all-round good bloke Warwick Sadler. Warwick Sadler knew he wanted to be a stuntman from the age of 13 and has built a highly successful career in the film industry ever since. In this fascinating episode he takes into the word of working as a stunt actor and working on films such as Matrix 2 and 3, The Hobbit, and The Dressmaker. He also talks about working alongside some of the world's best actors including Heath Ledger in the film Ned Kelly and what it was like to walk in the footsteps of Australia's most famous bushranger. Warwick is also shares his love of animals and how being a vegan has been an advantage while working in a physically demanding job. This is a highly entertaining conversation with someone who is a passionate advocate for the arts industry and who has worked in a role he loves for the past 32 years.

    Rambling Rewind: #25 Warwick Sadler

  3. 21 July

    Rambling Rewind: #21 Kane Nuttall

    In the second of our Rambling Rewinds, we revisit episode #21 where we discover the incredible story of Kane Nuttall, founder of the Power In You Project. Kane's story is one of adversity, redemption and using the power of his lived experiences to help people who society have left behind. As a young bloke, Kane battled bullying, depression, and survived a suicide attempt before heading down a path of alcohol, drugs and high risk behaviour. Eventually he decided to turn his life around and to use his experiences to drive him to help other people to turn their lives around as well. From this he formed the Power in You Project, an organisation that helps people turn their lives around through addiction support, mental health support, physical wellbeing and community connection. The Power in You Project also provides accommodation and employment support to those who need it the most. This is a story of one bloke's determination to turn his life around and, in doing so, help others do the same.

    Rambling Rewind: #21 Kane Nuttall

  4. 14 July

    Rambling Rewind: #8 Matty Freeman

    While we take a short break in July we take a look back to some of our favourite episodes. Our first Rambling Rewind takes us way back to episodes 8 and 10 when we chatted to Matty Freeman from Freshwater Creek Estate and Surf Coast Woolshed. Matty's story is one of determination, resilience, and chasing a dream. He talks to us about how his childhood dream to own a farm culminated in him buying a run-down 100 acre property in Freshwater Creek, the work he has put into the property to restore it, and his vision for the 1940's shearing shed located on the property. Unfortunately Matty then ran into a brick wall otherwise known as bureaucracy and for 8 years has battled the local council to turn a run down shearing shed into a destination venue showcasing local produce and the natural beauty of the local region. This is the story of how one man's vision and determination can overcome the short-sightedness and greasy palms of local bureaucracy, _____ To listen to this episode ad-free and to gain access to exclusive. members only content, visit our Patreon page and become a member for just $5 per month.

    Rambling Rewind: #8 Matty Freeman

  5. 7 July

    Rambling #56 - On 30 years as a publican with Chris Moore

    Chris Moore is the publican of the Sir Charles Hotham Hotel in Geelong's CBD, a family owned and run pub in which 4 generations of Chris' family have worked behind the bar. "The Hoth" as it's affectionately known by regulars is still a classic, old-school inner-city pub in a time when developers are turning pubs in up-market dining experiences or pokies venues. Chris chats to the Rambling lads about the challenges facing pubs these days, what a pub means as a social gathering place to regulars, and how they managed to stay in touch with regulars during COVID-era lockdowns. He also talks about some of the incidents that have been a part of the Sir Charles Hotham's history, and why he considers himself an accidental publican after first running the pub when he was 18 years old and still running it with his wife 30 years later. Chris is also the head coach the senior mens team of the Inverleigh Football Netball Club in the Geelong District Football League. He talks about how he took over the role in 2023 and led the club to their first senior premiership in 31 years. He also chats about the challenges facing local footy these days, what footy clubs mean to their local communities, and some of the challenges facing young men and how footy helps them in challenging times. Check out the Sir Charles Hotham Hotel's website here. _______ To listen to this episode ad-free and to gain access to exclusive. members only content, visit our Patreon page and become a member for just $5 per month.

    Rambling #56 - On 30 years as a publican with Chris Moore

  6. 30 June

    Rambling #55 - On Irish music, martial arts and comfort zones with Patrick O'Callaghan

    Patrick O'Callaghan is the lead singer of Irish rock band Double Shot Maggie, 2nd dan black belt in karate, and a facilitator of change and culture for government, not-for-profit, and government organisations. Patrick is a bloke who loves to live life to the fullest by challenging himself and always learning something new. In this episode Patrick chats with the Rambling lads about how a passion to always be learning new skills, a love of music and his Irish heritage, and his fascination as a kid with super-kangaroo Skippy lead him to where he is today. This is a fun and rambling chat that covers everything from music, martial arts, organisational change, and how always being outside your comfort zone leads to a full and rewarding life. Check out Patrick's band Double Shot Maggie here. Learn more about Patrick's consulting work here. _______ To listen to this episode ad-free and to gain access to exclusive. members only content, visit our Patreon page and become a member for just $5 per month.

    Rambling #55 - On Irish music, martial arts and comfort zones with Patrick O'Callaghan

  7. 23 June

    Rambling #54 - On culture, leadership and serendipity with Rod Craig

    Rod "Rocket" Craig has life a full and fascinating life where career, family and footy have all intertwined. At the age of 62, Rod is still playing footy each week in the Victorian Metro Masters League and has always incorporated his love of playing footy and being around footy clubs into his life not matter where his career has taken him. Rod's career in logistics and project management has taken him all around the world, including Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. His vast experience has given him a unique outlook on life and he chat's to Brian and Scott about what he has learned and how he sees the world today. Along the way Rod has played for 50 different footy clubs over the years and, along with his senior roles in multi-national companies, he has developed a keen sense of what makes a successful club and work culture. We expected this conversation to be mostly about footy, but in the end it become so much more. ______ To listen to this episode ad-free and to gain access to exclusive. members only content, visit our Patreon page and become a member for just $5 per month.

    Rambling #54 - On culture, leadership and serendipity with Rod Craig

  8. 16 June

    Rambling #53 - On telling stories with Mark Smith

    Mark Smith is Surf Coast based author of five novels, including his critically acclaimed Winter Trilogy. The Road to Winter was shortlisted for multiple awards and is on the school curriculum around Australia. The sequel, Wilder Country won the 2018 Australian Indie Book Award for Young Adults. His first adult fiction novel, Three Boys Gone, was published in 2025 and his latest Where Truth Ends, has just been released. Mark's own story of how he became a professional writer is a classic sliding doors moment. In this fascinating conversation we discover how Mark incorporates Country within his stories, his methodology of writing, and how his passion for teaching young people to love reading has shaped his career. You can learn more about Mark here. ______ To listen to this episode ad-free and to gain access to exclusive. members only content, visit our Patreon page and become a member for just $5 per month.

    Rambling #53 - On telling stories with Mark Smith
See All (60)

About

Rambling is about discovering good things blokes are doing in our local communities. Shunter and 8-Ball are two old mates who love to explore stories of men doing good things in our local - and particularly regional - communities. We love to scratch beneath the surface of our local communities to see what stories lie beneath, Each episode we kick off a conversation about life as a bloke in the modern world and see where it leads us. We typically cover topics such as family, business, mental health, music, literature, and sport. Our conversations are rambling, fun and insightful. Become a member on Patreon to access ad-free episodes, early access to episodes, exclusive content, and our Rambling community. Follow us on Instagram

Information

You Might Also Like