Rambling: Good blokes, great conversations.

Shunter & 8Ball
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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. 12h ago

    Rambling #62: On freedom through adversity with Chris "Hendo" Henderson

    Chris "Hendo" Henderson was a life-long "pretty decent" country footy player and corporate head kicker. Then, around 9 years ago, he was diagnosed with MS. What began as devastating news, soon made him reassess his values in life. He then followed an opportunity to try out for wheelchair footy and, within weeks was playing wheelchair AFL for Richmond. He then went on to captain Richmond and is the current captain-coach of Essendon. Hendo then went on to found Freedom Sports Foundation, a not-for-profit connecting kids and adults to wheelchair sports and providing pathways for people in wheelchairs to play sport at an elite level. Hendo has also represented Australia at world championships for para beach volleyball and European handball. This is an important conversation about how a life-shaking event can create purpose in a person's life and can lead to helping others find opportunity, connection and meaning, when previously there was only hurdles, isolation and lack of support. To learn more or get involved with Freedom Sports Foundation visit their website here. To listen to past episodes of Freedom Radio visit The Pulse website here or tune into 94.7 The Pulse on Mondays from 4-5pm. _______ To support these conversations and to gain early access to episodes and access to exclusive, members only content, visit our Patreon page and become a member for just $5 per month.

    Rambling #62: On freedom through adversity with Chris "Hendo" Henderson

  2. Sep 8

    Rambling #61: On gardening, real food, and music with Vasili Kanidiadis

    Vasili is the kind of household name in Australia that doesn't need a second name. Gardener, entrepreneur, musician and media identity, Vasili has been a part of the our TV screens and radio waves since the 1990's. Vasili has produced and hosted TV programs on Channel 31, SBS, and 7Two, and now has his own You Tube channel. Vasili has also hosts a greek language program on SBS radio has been a regular co-host on 3AW alongside Denis Walter for over 15 years. Vasili brings with him to the Rambling studio the kind of energy and enthusiasm that has made him a much loved part of our media landscape. He chats with Brian and Scott about growing up in a fish and chip shop in Coburg, what inspired him to dedicate his career and life to gardening, his rivalry with TVs other Greek gardening guru Costa Georgiadis, and how music has been a massive part of his life. He even brings in one of his piano-accordians to entertain and delight the Rambling lads. This is one of our most freewheeling and fun episodes and we know you'll love listening to it! You can follow Vasili on his website here or check out his show on You Tube here.

    Rambling #61: On gardening, real food, and music with Vasili Kanidiadis

  3. Sep 1

    Rambling #60: On book clubs for blokes with Shay Leighton

    Shay Leighton is the founder and driving force behind Tough Guys Book Club. TGBC started as 2 blokes meeting in a pub beer garden in Collingwood because they needed a hobby, to now boasting almost 200 chapters and 10,000 members meeting in pubs across the world. The story of how TGBC has grown is inspiring; from an excuse to get out of the house, to a organisation helping blokes around the world to find a love of reading and to connect socially. Shay chats about his own challenges with reading and undiagnosed dyslexia when he was younger and how that has inspired him to help blokes challenge their reading habits and see literature as a way of making their lives fuller and more rewarding. in the 14 years of running TGBC, Shay has stuck to his guns in the face of pressure to sell out, in particular in the face of a large sponsorship offer from a major sports betting agency which he knocked back to maintain the integrity of what he has built. This episode is a must listen. Tough Guys Book Club meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 7pm and becoming a member is free. To find a chapter near you click here.

    Rambling #60: On book clubs for blokes with Shay Leighton

  4. Aug 25

    Rambling #59 - On human connection and communication with Jem Fuller

    Jem Fuller is a leadership and communication coach on a mission to help people reconnect with themselves and with each other. Jem reveals how, while camping on a secluded beach in India, he met an Englishman named Dave, which then led him to be adopted by a "holy family" living in a mountain temple in the Himalayas. This experience then inspired him to help others connect to their true selves and to the people in their lives. Jem and his partner Talia now lead mindfulness retreats in India, Indonesia, Costa Rica, and Australia. We also chat to Jem about how AI is affecting our ability to connect with each other and our communities, how the age of AI presents an opportunity to bring back meaningful human interaction, and how we can improve our ability to communicate with others by removing our own prejudices from the conversations we have with them. This is a great conversation with a bloke who has followed a path through life that seems to have been laid out for him and, in doing so, sees a way forward for us to become more human again. To learn more about Jem, his coaching programs and his retreats visit his website here. Listen to Jem's podcast The Unknown Path on Spotify here.

    Rambling #59 - On human connection and communication with Jem Fuller

  5. Aug 18

    Rambling #58 - On life as a professional cricketer with Nick Speak

    Nick Speak has been a professional cricketer and cricket coach since he was a teenager. Born in Manchester, Nick played first-class cricket for Lancashire from 1986 until 2000 including during their dominant era in the early to mid-nineties. Nick left Lancashire and moved to Durham where he played and captained from 2000-2001 when he retired. Nick then moved to Australia with his wife and children. He played and coached district cricket including for Melbourne and Dandenong, winning multiple premierships. Nick then became senior coach at Geelong Cricket Club until his retired last year. Nick is also a writer and observer of the game. He publishes two Substack newsletters; Speaking Cricket, a cricketing newsletter, and A Different Sober, a daily observation of life and current affairs. This is a fascinating and fun chat about a life playing cricket around the world. Nick chats about playing alongside some of the greats of the game such as Wasim Akram and Clive Lloyd and playing against some of the fiercest fast bowlers such as Malcom Marshall and Merv Highes. Nick also discussed some of the challenges facing professional sports people after retirement from the game they love. To follow Nick on Substack subscribe to Speaking Cricket here or to A Different Sober here. Check out the Play Stats app here. _______ To support these conversations and to gain early access to episodes and access to exclusive, members only content, visit our Patreon page and become a member for just $5 per month.

    Rambling #58 - On life as a professional cricketer with Nick Speak

  6. Aug 11

    Rambling #57 - On saving Spring Creek with Graeme Stockton OAM

    Graeme Stockton OAM has dedicated most of his life to caring and fighting for the local environment. He is the founder of the Surf Coast Environmental Group (SCEG) and the driving force behind the campaign to save the Spring Creek Valley from development. In June 2026 Graeme's tireless and selfless work was recognised when he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM). In this important and enlightening conversation, Graeme reveals how a flier in local shop window changed the trajectory of his life forever, the damage human traffic has done to the clifftops around Bells Beach and surrounding areas, the work SCEG does to reverse that damage, and the importance of the Spring Creek Valley to the local Surf Coast eco-system. He also reveals how working at the local community level is the most effective way to make the change needed to save our planet from irreversible damage. Graeme is incredibly passionate and knowledgable about the local environment and is fighting every day to make a difference locally and globally. His story is inspiring and incredibly important. To get involved, support, or learn more about the Surf Coast Environment Group visit their website here. RSVP for the the Spring Valley film and art exhibition here. Contact the Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny via email at sonya.kilkenny@parliament.vic.gov.au To learn more about the Mount Rothwell sanctuary visit the website here. _______ To support these conversations and to gain early access to episodes and access to exclusive, members only content, visit our Patreon page and become a member for just $5 per month.

    Rambling #57 - On saving Spring Creek with Graeme Stockton OAM

  7. Aug 4

    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

  8. Jul 28

    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
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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

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