The Mastering Podcast

Sport can look like a scoreboard, a sponsorship deck, or a weekend habit, but we see something bigger: a national trust asset that shapes identity, community and opportunity. Professor Sarah Kelly OAM joins our hosts, Magnus Olson, Don Sanka and Will Tuffley, to explain why the real power of sport lies in what it teaches about leadership, resilience and fairness, and why governance and funding det...

Three straight aces to start an Olympic semi-final is the kind of moment that makes most people shrink. Natalie Cook tells us what it takes to do the opposite, reset your posture, steady your mind, and decide “not today” with a home crowd watching. Natalie is a five-time Olympian, Sydney 2000 beach volleyball gold medallist, author and high-performance speaker, and she brings the same blunt honest...

If you’ve ever promised yourself you’d get on top of your health, then got beaten by time, friction, and old habits, this conversation is for you. Our hosts Don Sanka and Magnus Olson are back in the studio with Dr Vu Tran and Gopi Sara to connect the dots between modern life, dopamine, and why so many of us “cope” with food, alcohol, and rituals that feel harmless until they stack up over years....

A family fleeing into the night with gold sewn into clothing is not just a dramatic story; it is a masterclass in conviction. This week, our hosts Magnus Olson and Don Sanka Small sit down with Dr Vu Tran and Gopi Sara to unpack how migrant and refugee journeys shape a builder’s mindset and why the real edge is not “predicting the future” but acting on what is right in front of you. If you care ab...

Australia’s being sold a shiny AI future, but most businesses are still stuck between a headline and a half-built software project. Our hosts Magnus Olson and Don Sanka are joined by Lucas Meadowcroft and Dean Cavanagh, co-founders of Brisbane-based AI innovation consultancy Crofti, to talk about the part almost nobody markets: the work before anything gets built. That’s where construction and man...

Exams, rankings, research prestige… none of that matters when you graduate and still don’t know how to do the work. We take a hard look at why higher education keeps producing capable people who feel unprepared on day one, and why the system often rewards publishing papers more than building practical skills. This week, our hosts, Magnus Olsen, Don Sanka Small and Will Tuffley are joined by Mat Ja...

Peter Robertson has lived more than one professional life. He has moved from mathematics and technology into property development, governance, sport, entertainment and crime fiction. In this episode of The Mastering Podcast , Peter joins Magnus, Don and Will to unpack what it takes to build across industries, lead at board level, think about Brisbane’s future, and create stories that keep readers...

Australia’s track and field resurgence is real, and it’s being built from the ground up, one training group at a time. This week, our host Magnus Olsen and Australian Masters Athlete Don Sanka Small are joined by Rajiv, an Olympian-turned-elite coach, and Maddie Scott, a former top junior sprinter who moved into coaching after injuries, to talk about what actually develops speed, resilience, and l...

What does it take to miss your Olympic dream by a tenth of a second and still choose to sprint toward the next start line? In this episode of the Mastering Podcast, host Magnus Olsen and co-hosts Lucas Meadowcroft and Don Sanka sit down with Australian swimming powerhouse Abbey Harkin for a raw, energising conversation about heartbreak, healing, and the decision to double down on the future. Abbey...

In this episode of The Mastering Podcast, we sit down with Michael Dobbie, a Paralympian, leader, and advocate whose story defines the true meaning of resilience and reinvention. In 2001, a motorcycle accident changed Michael’s life in an instant. Yet, just three days later, he made a promise to his parents that he would become a Paralympian. Seven years later, he was representing Australia in Whe...

Ever wondered what it takes to transform an athlete into a world-class performer? In this fascinating second part of our deep dive into mastering speed, our hosts Don Sanka Small and Will Tuffley uncover the revolutionary training methods behind Rhys Holder's emergence as one of Australia's fastest 400m runners ever. Dr Christopher Dell takes us behind the curtain of his cutting-edge tra...

The 400-meter sprint might be the most punishing event in track and field—a brutal combination of raw speed and lactic acid endurance that pushes athletes to their absolute limits. In this captivating conversation, our hosts Don Sanka Small and Magnus Olsen sit down with Australian Olympic sprinter Reece Holder and his coach, Dr. Christopher Dale. We dive deep into the physical and mental challeng...

Our hosts, Don Sanka Small and Lucas Meadocroft, explore AI's potential "iPhone moment" as OpenAI and Johnny Ive collaborate on what could be the next revolutionary technology interface, while also examining practical AI implementation for businesses and the educational transformation needed to bridge the growing skills gap. Are we witnessing AI's "iPhone moment"? The...

What happens when a seven-year-old girl from country Australia decides she wants to play for the Socceroos? For Amy Chapman, it meant cutting her hair into an undercut and pretending to be a boy for years while playing in all-male teams. When puberty made that charade impossible, she discovered there was actually a national women's team – the Matildas – though she'd never heard of them b...

⚠️ Content Warning:  This episode includes discussions of mental illness, addiction, trauma, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. In this raw and revealing conversation, former NRL star Dan Hunt opens up about his journey from playing 150+ professional rugby league games to founding a national mental health movement that has trained over 500,000 Australians face-to-face. Growing up in a ho...

Dive into the second part of this raw, unfiltered analysis of Australia's political landscape ahead of a crucial federal election. Former MP Michael Johnson and coffee entrepreneur Philip de Bella pull back the curtain on why our political system consistently delivers mediocrity—and why it's ultimately our fault as voters. This episode addresses the painful truth that we have created a p...

When was the last time you truly understood what you were voting for? In this eye-opening conversation with former federal MP Michael Johnson and renowned entrepreneur Philip Di Bella, we pull back the curtain on Australia's political landscape and examine how the upcoming federal election could reshape our nation's future. Democracy isn't always what it seems. Our guests reveal how...

The smashing sound of cricket balls flying over boundaries may have made Chris Lynn famous, but it's his journey beyond the cricket pitch that reveals his most impressive talents. In this captivating conversation, the explosive Australian batsman opens up about transforming from a rugby league prospect to one of cricket's most feared T20 batsmen—despite multiple career-threatening should...

The AI revolution is here, transforming how we work, build businesses, and solve problems at unprecedented speed. In this illuminating conversation with Lucas Meadowcroft, founder of Crofty and veteran technology entrepreneur, we unpack the realities behind AI implementation and dispel common misconceptions. Lucas breaks down the crucial distinction between AI and automation, revealing that most b...

Yussi's transformation from civil engineering student to international drum and bass producer offers a masterclass in artistic dedication and modern music entrepreneurship. With over 167,000 monthly Spotify listeners and a European tour on the horizon, his story demolishes the stereotype of electronic musicians as mere "button pushers." The South African-born, Australian-based artis...

Elite athletes distinguish themselves through intention, commitment, passion, and natural hunger – traits that translate to success in any field, including wealth creation. Former Tennis Queensland acting CEO Elia Hill's journey from playing tennis professionally to coaching and administration The importance of curiosity and always asking "why" as a pathway to success Tennis Austral...

Tim Franklin isn't just an ultra marathon runner—he's a testament to what happens when you push beyond the boundaries of possibility. As one of only eight people to ever run around the world, Tim's accomplishment puts him in a club more exclusive than those who've walked on the moon. Over 576 grueling days, Tim covered an astounding 26,246 kilometers—the equivalent of 622 conse...

Giving It a Shot: The Crazy World of Elite Athletics! Storytelling in sports as a tool for connection. Experience the extraordinary journey of elite athletes as we dive into the world of track and field, highlighting the challenges and triumphs faced by Riley Day and Cedric Dubler. Both athletes share their personal stories, as Riley unveils the mental resilience required as she transitions from s...

Are you ready to go beyond the surface and truly understand what it takes to master your craft?  Join our expert panel and tune in to mastering.  Your journey to excellence starts here. Send us Fan Mail Want more? Find us on You Tube , Instagram , X , and TikTok where we share bonus content and engage with our listeners.  Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review! Your support helps us...