The Extinction Rebellion movement has left people all around the world divided. Their traffic blockages have caused hundreds of thousands of people to be late for work on a regular basis. But if you ask the members, that is a small price to pay for our planet's future. In their chat, Extinction Rebellion spokeswoman Miriam Robinson shares with Matt how she got involved with the group, their three major demands and what she would say if she had 30 seconds with our prime minister.
Oct 16, 2019•32 min
From the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Elton John and plenty of others in between, international music promoter Michael Chugg has spent the past 50-plus years working with the biggest artists on the planet. In their chat, Chugg shares with Matt his remarkable journey. From how he first got started in the music industry, to the artist he would never work with again. And why he has a couple of t-shirts that have cost him over $1million.
Oct 07, 2019•27 min
It is a very sad and emotional time when a relationship breaks down. It is sadder still when the two parents can not see eye-to-eye. Nobody wins, especially not the children. In this special edition of Coffee Chats, Matt interviews two fathers who have not seen their children for many years. The dads, who have asked to remain anonymous, share their tumultuous journey. They discuss their legal battles, when they last saw their children and just how much of a toll this ordeal has taken on them per...
Oct 04, 2019•1 hr 25 min
He may be one of the country's greatest actors and a much respected elder in the indigenous community, but there is another to Jack Charles. An award winning actor and an aboriginal icon in the field of arts and theater, but few know the darker side of the lovable rogue. A victim of the stolen generation, Jack is a former heroin addict and was imprisoned a remarkable 22 times. In their chat, Jack shares with Matt his proudest moments and his biggest regrets and why he could never cut his tradema...
Sep 28, 2019•37 min
Regardless of your thoughts on her poltical views, there is no denying One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson is a compelling figure in Australian politics. In their Coffee Chat, Matt wanted to find out about the woman behind the policies. Pauline opens up and shows her lighter side. She talks about her proudest moments and her biggest regrets, as well as recalling what helped get her through her time in prison. Enjoy this rare and intimate chat with one of the country's most captivating characters....
Sep 21, 2019•45 min
The same sex marriage survey divided the nation. One man who was at the forefront of the no vote was political activist and former managing director of the Australian Christian Lobby, Lyle Shelton. With the benefit of hindsight, Lyle shares with Matt his thoughts on how the country has been affected a year after the yes vote. As well as his opinions on another polarising political personality, Fraser Anning. And he explains what happened when he joined a group of alleged white power advocates fo...
Sep 15, 2019•33 min
Very few people can say there is a Hollywood movie made about their lives. Sam Childers aka the Machine Gun Preacher, is one of the few. He left behind a life of drugs and crime to help thousands of children in war-torn Africa. He has built schools, orphanages and provides 1000s of meals every single day. In their chat, Childers shares with Matt the night he realised he had to get out of his criminal world, why the film wasn't accurate and the emotions he felt when he first saw an African child ...
Sep 06, 2019•38 min
There is a small part of Australian singer, Shannon Noll that would love to just go back to the bush and sing to his steering wheel. Noll's life changed in an instant when he was runner up in the inaugural series of Australian Idol way back in 2003. He was catapulted into a life of fame and celebrity. Since then he has become a household name and has album sales into the millions. In their chat, Shannon shares with Matt life before Idol, advice for his kids and the miracle he experienced in the ...
Aug 22, 2019•30 min
Australian actor, Socratis 'Socs' Otto is a self-confessed 'chameleon'. He has played Charles Darwin, a psychopath, Hamlet, and even a transgender woman in a woman's prison, as he did in the TV series, Wentworth. But as an actor, and in his real life, Socratis has always been the underdog. He was bullied and ostracised as a child but this only helped him in his career as an actor and director. He will soon make his theatrical director debut with 'The Hope Song.'
Aug 13, 2019•39 min
Tani Beister and her husband Linzey have been in a happy, loving relationship for 17 years. They also both have sexual relationships with other people. In this chat, Tani shares with Matt the ups and downs of the world of polygamy. She discusses when she first realised she was attracted to someone outside of her marriage, she talks about emotions such as lust and jealousy and the fall out after sharing her unique world with her 12-year-old son and her family and friends.
Aug 01, 2019•33 min
He certainly doesn't look like someone you go up and talk to about living a better life, but Kevin 'Mad Dog' Mudford has spent a lifetime helping others. The 63-year-old walks throughout Australia and New Zealand with a cross, resembling Jesus' crucifix. The reformed prisoner, alcoholic and drug addict shares his story with people along his travels. In their chat, Mad Dog shares with Matt why he was in jail by 15, and how he survived a vicious attack by a man who believed God told him to do it....
Jul 24, 2019•34 min
James Blundell's country music career is a lengthy and significant one. He was named Best New Talent at the Country Music Awards way back in 1987. More than 30 years on, he still has that same passion and energy for his music which earnt him Hall of Fame reognition.. In their chat, James shares with Matt what he gets up to on the farm, why he got into politics, the fights he has with his 85-year-old father and the whirlwind of events that unfolded after recording his hit 1992 song with James Rey...
Jul 21, 2019•37 min
Allan 'Alfie' Langer is one of the greatest rugby league players to ever pick up a ball. At 52, he is still involved in the game he loves as a self-confessed water boy. He was recently immortalised with a statue outside Lang Park for his contribution to sport. In their Coffee Chat, Alfie shares with Matt his biggest life lessons, his best Wayne Bennett story and the funniest practical joke he ever played on his good mate, Kevvie Walters.
Jul 14, 2019•21 min
'Brian' is a war veteran. He turned to alcohol early on in life and it very quickly consumed his every waking hour. The story of alcoholism is a far too common one. Those closest to Brian grew tired of his actions and he found himself alone and lonely. His light bulb moment came while living in a cold, dark railway station. These days, Brian is a facilitator with AA and shares his story to assist others who are in a similar dark place. If this copnversation anyway triggers you contact AA on 1300...
Jul 07, 2019•40 min
You better 'stop your fussin' and make sure you 'don't walk away' because today's guest is one of the most unique voices of our time. 2019 marks the 30-year-anniversary of Toni Childs' debut album, Union and she is currently playing to packed crowds all around the country for her Retrospective National Tour. In her Coffee Chat with Matt, Toni shares her greatest Bob Dylan story, why beekeepers are the real rock stars and the best song she never wrote. See if Toni is playing in your area at tonic...
Jul 01, 2019•32 min
At 16, Robert Bruce jumped out of his bedroom window to join the circus. He must've loved it because at 81, he is still entertaining families as one of the world's oldest circus clowns. Just to add to his unique life, no one was more surprised than him when he found out he was going to be a father again at 73. But like everything he does in life, Robert took on fatherhood in his seventies with positivity, fun and a youthful exuberance. A Hollywood film is now being made about Robert's remarkable...
Jun 23, 2019•29 min
When his father died earlier this year, no one would've faulted country music star, Troy Cassar-Daley for cancelling his shows. But Troy's dad wasn't one for letting people down. He persevered and we are glad he did. Currently embarking on a national tour, Troy also found time to pen a hit song for his good mate, Jimmy Barnes. Troy shares with Matt why he thinks you have to be at least a little depressed to write a good country song and he recalls his favourite moments with the late, great Slim ...
Jun 11, 2019•29 min
Samuel Johnson is one of Australia's most popular and most loving actors, Which is even more impressive when you find out the amount of hardship he has endured in his life. From the tragic suicide of several close people in his life to the well publicised breast cancer journey his sister Connie faced, the Dancng with the Stars champion has been through more than most. But none of it seems to faze him. He is currently on a two-year national tour raising funds and awareness of the Love Your Sister...
Jun 02, 2019•28 min
Darryl Brohman had just returned from holidays when he found out the Footy Show had been cancelled. The Big Marn, as he is affectionately known, had been a popular member of the show. But like most things he does in life, the lovable larrikin took it in his stride. A knowledgeable and admired face in the game, Brohman played over 100 NRL games and two State of Origin games. The first being the most controversial as his jaw was broken by an opposing player and Brohman took legal action.
May 26, 2019•32 min
With multiple Golden Guitar and ARIA awards and having just released her seventh album, Sara Storer is a name synonymous with Australian country music. But being a country music star doesn't make you immune from 'real-world' challenges. Sara and her husband, Dave have four rowdy, young boys and some may think this is not a conducive environment to writing and performing some of Australia's greatest country music songs. But for this former school teacher, she has proven it works just fine for her...
May 08, 2019•50 min
Every sport has a player who stands head and shoulders above their peers. In the sport of rugby league, for nearly 20 years that player was Darren Lockyer. One of the greatest ever Australian sportspeople, Lockyer has been immortalised with a bronze statue outside the home of State of Origin, Lang Park. In their chat, Darren shares with Matt his life both within and outside of sport. Including what he values as a father, how he almost never picked up a rugby league ball and his best Wayne Bennet...
May 06, 2019•33 min
It is argued that the reality TV show, Married at First Sight brings out the worst in the contestants. But one 'husband' stood out as a breath of fresh air. Gympie farmer, MIck Gould was the lovable larrikin on the most recent series of the popular television experiment. In his chat with Matt, Mick opens up about his tv wife, Jessika and her affair on the show. He talks about his time on the show and life back in the real world. But most importantly, Mick shares his real passion, being on the la...
May 01, 2019•32 min
Jon Stevens was still in high school when he first had a top ten single which caused a lot of unwanted attention from NZ bullies. He left school early which was a probably a good thing because his brother, Frankie said Jon was 'a cheeky little shit' growing up. The Noiseworks front man filled the signiifcant hole for INXS when their lead singer and his good mate, Michael Hutchence took his life. He had some great years with the band before he quit, claiming their manager was 'the worst in the wo...
Apr 28, 2019•36 min
When Marcia Hines is your mother some would say it is no surprise you would go on to have a successful singing career. But Marcia had no idea Deni Hines could sing. She was literally singing in the kitchen when she was discovered and catapulted into the entertainment industry. An industry that Deni Hines has mixed feelings about. In their chat, Deni shares with Matt her remarkable musical journey. Including her challenges with race, her thoughts on celebrity and her hit song that makes her cring...
Apr 20, 2019•37 min
'Whoa ohh, the chats are getting bigger'. It's time to 'Live it up' with a great Coffee Chat with Mental as Anything front man, Greedy Smith. He takes us on a trip down Australian music royalty lane. From humble beginnings to the whirlwind of international success, Greedy shares some great stories from his remarkable career, including what is discussed over catch ups with INXS and Colin Hay and the crazy things he used to do on stage. He even confirms the true story of why he is called 'Greedy'....
Apr 14, 2019•32 min
With a pool room full of awards, half a million music sales and one of the most recognisable country music voices, Adam Harvey has done pretty much all there is to do in the world of country music. In their chat, Adam Harvey shares with Matt the big risk he took when he started in the music industry, his less than ideal relationship with the late Slim Dusty and a couple of secrets about his good mate, Kevin 'Bloody' Wilson.
Apr 07, 2019•33 min
Professor Patrick McGorry was the 2010 Australian of the Year. Not bad for a bloke born in Ireland. After four years of studying general medicine in the early 80s, Pat could see the mentally ill were getting 'an extremely raw deal,' so he turned his focus to psychiatry. In those days patients were locked up and it was 'a century behind the rest of health care'. He believes the mentally ill still get a raw deal, but thanks to Pat's involvement in Headspace and Orygen, things are slowly improving....
Mar 31, 2019•27 min
At 17, most girls are thinking about boys, music, their friends and their Instagram accounts. When Connie Boglis was 17, she was assisting peolple with shizophrenia to function in day-to-day life. By her early 20s, she was working in prisons and youth detention centres gaining the respect of troubled kids. She is one of those rare people who puts other's needs before her own. In 2017, her partner of two years took his life after the former veteran had a long battle with his mental health.
Mar 29, 2019•39 min
The criminal world is one unlike the majority of us live in. An eye for an eye is common practice. After 30 years involved in organised crime, Graham 'Abo' Henry knows more about this dangerous world than most. From armed robberies, break and enters and attempting to murder his own father as a teenager, Graham was always headed for a destructive life. It wasn't long before he was partners with the underworld's elite and had a 'green light' from NSW police. That was of course, until he stabbed on...
Mar 24, 2019•52 min
Jeff Amatto believes our prison system is not helping people to rehabilitate. And he would know, he experienced it first hand. He was an alcoholic at 13 and performing break and enters at the same age. As a former drug addict and criminal, Jeff learnt more about crime in jail than out. He saw many desperate things in prison, like 20 men lining up to share the one syringe. It was thanks to an indigenous rehab centre and a moment of clarity with an indigenous song that changed his entire aspect on...
Mar 19, 2019•57 min
