Dropped Balls and Big Calls

Jason Beardsley
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Dropped Balls and Big Calls is a Podcast where we sit down with people from all walks of life to dig into the moments that shape us, the wins, the setbacks, and the wild decisions in between. Every guest brings a turning point, a time they fell flat, took a risk, or faced a challenge that changed everything. We talk about what it taught them, how they bounced back, and what they’d say to someone standing in the middle of their own big moment right now. No scripts, just honest, human conversations about the plays that make life what it is.

  1. Episode 20: A Tribute to Christchurch, 15 Years of Resilience and Rebuilding

    FEB 21

    Episode 20: A Tribute to Christchurch, 15 Years of Resilience and Rebuilding

    Fifteen years ago, an ordinary summer day became one of the darkest moments in New Zealand’s history. In this deeply personal tribute to his hometown of Christchurch, Jason Beardsley recounts where he was when the February 22, 2011 earthquake struck, the terrifying hours that followed, and the long years of aftershocks, uncertainty, and grief that reshaped a city and its people forever. This episode explores: • The reality of living through thousands of aftershocks • The hidden mental toll long after the cameras left • The loss of identity when landmarks and memories vanish • The extraordinary community spirit that carried the city forward • How a broken city rebuilt itself into something new From liquefaction-covered streets to pop-up art installations, from fear to pride, this is the story of a city that refused to stay down. Christchurch isn’t just a disaster story. It’s a resilience story. Kia Ora Christchurch. Kia Kaha.   For more Dropped Balls and Big Calls, visit www.bigcallspod.com.au Want to help our Podcast grow in 2026? Visit www.bigcallspod.com.au/support   #Droppedballsandbigcalls #bigcallspod #Christchurch #Earthquake #NZ #Disaster

    18 min
  2. Episode 19: Dan Joyce - Burnout, Foster Care & Redesigning Your Life

    FEB 8

    Episode 19: Dan Joyce - Burnout, Foster Care & Redesigning Your Life

    Dan Joyce has spent his life navigating trauma, care, responsibility and the quiet weight of burnout. In this episode, Dan opens up about becoming a foster carer at a young age, and how working with trauma affected young people throughout his career reshaped his identity, empathy and view of the world. We talk honestly about his childhood experiences, emotional exhaustion, the misunderstood reality of teenagers in care, and the moment Dan realised he needed to redesign his life before regret caught up with him. This is a raw, thoughtful conversation about mental health, burnout, time, freedom and the courage it takes to choose a different path. If you’ve ever felt stretched thin, trapped by responsibility, or worried about missing the good moments in life, this one will hit home. For more, please visit www.bigcallspod.com.au Want to support the Podcast and help us grow? Visit www.bigcallspod.com.au/support #Bigcallspod #Burnout #trauma #fostercare #Socialwork

    55 min
  3. Episode 18: The Long Way Home, A Thank You to Australia

    JAN 26

    Episode 18: The Long Way Home, A Thank You to Australia

    Thirteen and a half years ago, I crossed the ditch with a suitcase, and a dream. Today, I became an Australian citizen. This episode is about belonging. I reflect on growing up in New Zealand, idolising Australia through sport, music and culture, surviving the Christchurch earthquakes, and starting again in Melbourne at 21 with no job, no network, and a lot of self doubt. It’s a short story about rejection, growth, and the quiet moment you realise home isn’t where you were born. It’s where you’re built. This is a thank you to my home, Australia. For more, please visit www.bigcallspod.com.au Want to sponsor Dropped Balls and Big Calls in 2026? Visit www.bigcallspod.com.au/support #Bigcallspod #Droppedballsandbigcalls #Home #Citizenship #Migration

    4 min
  4. Episode 17: Mollie-May Bennett - A Recruiter’s Guide to Standing Out in 2026

    JAN 18

    Episode 17: Mollie-May Bennett - A Recruiter’s Guide to Standing Out in 2026

    January hits different. The Christmas break gives you space to breathe, reflect, and ask the hard questions. Am I happy at work? Am I growing? Or am I just surviving until the next long weekend? In Episode 17 of Dropped Balls & Big Calls, I’m joined by recruiter Mollie-May Bennett of Brightside Recruitment to pull back the curtain on the Australian job market in 2026, with a sharp focus on NDIS and aged care, candidate experience, and what employers are actually looking for right now. We talk honestly about the biggest mistakes jobseekers make, how to stand out without being cringe, why cultural fit often matters more than salary, and how tools like LinkedIn and AI are shaping hiring without replacing the human element. If you’re thinking about a move, hungry for growth, or just sick of feeling stuck, this episode is packed with practical advice, straight talk, and a few uncomfortable truths that might save you months of frustration. Because finding the right role isn’t about gaming the system. It’s about trust, communication, and knowing what really matters. For more, visit www.bigcallspod.com.au Want to support the Podcast by becoming a sponsor? Visit https://www.bigcallspod.com.au/support #bigcallspod #droppedballsandbigcalls #podcast #recruitment #jobsearch #jobseekers

    40 min
  5. Episode 16: Matthew Leversedge - Racing and Resilience

    JAN 11

    Episode 16: Matthew Leversedge - Racing and Resilience

    If you think sprint car racing is just loud engines and late nights, think again. In Episode 16 of Dropped Balls & Big Calls, I sit down with Matthew Leversedge, one of New Zealand’s most respected sprint car racers, to talk about what really powers a racing career. Spoiler alert: it’s not just horsepower and talent. From starting out at five years old to navigating the brutal realities of sponsorships, pressure and mental health, Matthew opens up about the unseen side of motorsport and the resilience required to survive it. This is a conversation about family, identity, mindset and doing things the right way, even when it would be easier not to. Our new website is live! Check out www.bigcallspod.com.au Want to help grow the Podcast? You can sponsor Dropped Balls and Big Calls today via one off or recurring payments. For more information, visit https://www.bigcallspod.com.au/bigcallssponsor #bigcallspod #Droppedballsandbigcalls #podcast #interview #sprintcar

    59 min
  6. Episode 15: Rage Against the Dying of the Light

    10/19/2025

    Episode 15: Rage Against the Dying of the Light

    This week’s episode is a bit different. I’ve been feeling lost lately, so I went back to the words of my late mate, Kev. Kev lived with muscular dystrophy, but he also lived with more accountability and perspective than most of us ever find. In this episode, I read his final blog and reflect on the lessons he left behind. It’s a reminder to pay attention to our self-talk, own our choices, and live with purpose, even when life feels heavy. Read Kevin's blog here: Kevin's Blog: Dropped Balls and Big Calls is a Podcast by The Setback Collective https://www.setbackcollective.com.au/ #Bigcallspod #Droppedballsandbigcalls #kevinjefcoate #resilience #musculardystrophy #selftalk #mentalhealth #disability #thesetbackcollective

    9 min
  7. Episode 14: Boris Struk - A Father’s Fight: Love, Legacy and Muscular Dystrophy

    10/05/2025

    Episode 14: Boris Struk - A Father’s Fight: Love, Legacy and Muscular Dystrophy

    What would you do if your child’s life depended on it? For Boris Struk, the answer was simple, everything. When his son Ryan was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, Boris turned heartbreak into action, founding Muscular Dystrophy Australia and dedicating his life to creating change. In this powerful conversation, Boris shares the story behind that fight: the speech that ignited a movement, the belief that “nothing is impossible,” and the extraordinary achievements that followed, from raising over $43 million to establishing a world-class research centre and running more than 100 family camps. We also explore the deeply personal side of his journey, the love of a father, the grief of loss, and the resilience it takes to keep moving forward while building a legacy that continues to change lives. This is more than a story about muscular dystrophy. It’s about hope, determination, and the power of believing that if you try, you might just get there. Listen now and be inspired by what’s possible when love drives the mission. Support Muscular Dystrophy Australia and help provide vital programs and services for Australians living with neuromuscular conditions: Donate to Muscular Dystrophy Australia Explore Boris’s incredible photography: BMS PHOTOGRAPHY – Photography by Boris M Struk Help us grow the Big Calls Pod so we can share more powerful stories. Visit Big Calls Big Shout | Join the Movement Today — The Setback Collective or email jason@bigcallspod.com.au. We'll donate 10% of all funds to charity. #BigCallsPod #DroppedBallsAndBigCalls #MuscularDystrophy #Advocacy #Parenting #Resilience #RyanStruk #Fundraising #DisabilityAwareness #Community #BorisStruk #thesetbackcollective #NDIS #MuscularDystrophyAustralia

    1h 24m
  8. Episode 13: Michele Mattiuzzi - Policing, Prime Time & Building Empires

    09/28/2025

    Episode 13: Michele Mattiuzzi - Policing, Prime Time & Building Empires

    From the gritty reality of policing and counter-terrorism to the bright lights of Home and Away to building $200m business units, Michele Mattiuzzi’s story is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and relentless work ethic. In this deeply honest conversation, Michele opens up about his tough upbringing, the poverty that fueled his drive, and the lessons learned under pressure as part of the Australian Federal Police. He shares how those experiences shaped his decision-making, discipline, and mental resilience, skills that later helped him carve out a career as an actor and successful business leader. We dive into the power of storytelling in sales, the harsh truths about burnout and mental health, and the pivotal role faith and community played in rebuilding his life. Michele also speaks candidly about the crisis of truth and authenticity in today’s world and why reconnecting with foundational values might be the most radical act of all. Whether you’re navigating pressure, chasing reinvention, or searching for purpose, this episode is a powerful reminder that where you start never has to define where you finish. Michele Matiuzzi on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelemattiuzzi   Find us! - https://linktr.ee/bigcallspod Dropped Balls and Big Calls is a Podcast by The Setback Collective - www.setbackcollective.com.au #bigcallspod #droppedballsandbigcalls #michelemattiuzzi #homeandaway #podcast #resilience #mentalhealth #faith

    1h 34m
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Trailer

About

Dropped Balls and Big Calls is a Podcast where we sit down with people from all walks of life to dig into the moments that shape us, the wins, the setbacks, and the wild decisions in between. Every guest brings a turning point, a time they fell flat, took a risk, or faced a challenge that changed everything. We talk about what it taught them, how they bounced back, and what they’d say to someone standing in the middle of their own big moment right now. No scripts, just honest, human conversations about the plays that make life what it is.

Information

  • Creator
    Jason Beardsley
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jason Beardsley
  • Show Website
    Dropped Balls and Big Calls