Real STUFF with Hunter Johnson

Bailey Smith: The Story You Haven’t Heard  In his most personal interview yet, AFL star Bailey Smith joins Real Stuff podcast to share the man behind the mullet - and the mental health journey that shaped him. Speaking with host and Stuff That Matters Founder Hunter Johnson, Bailey opens up about the aftermath of his ACL injury, the emotional toll of leaving the Bulldogs, and the private struggles...

In this episode of REAL STUFF, Hunter Johnson goes deep with one of the AFL’s most decorated captains, Trent Cotchin. From winning a Brownlow Medal to leading a struggling club to three premierships, Trent shares the lessons he’s learned about leadership, reflecting on his journey to discovering and trusting his authentic self—embracing vulnerability and the simplicity of "just being Trent." They...

Harry Garside: Embracing Growth and Redefining Success In this REAL STUFF episode, Hunter Johnson sits down with Olympic boxing champ Harry Garside – a multi-medal athlete shattering stereotypes. From Commonwealth gold to the Tokyo and Paris Olympics and beyond, Harry’s success in the ring is just the start. Hunter and Harry dive into big topics like failure on the public stage, self-love vs. self...

Jarryd Roughead: Resilience Beyond the Footy Field In this inspiring episode of REAL STUFF, host Hunter Johnson sits down with AFL legend Jarryd Roughead. Known for his loyalty to the Hawthorn Football Club, where he spent his entire footy career, Roughead shares his journey from a small-town country kid to a four-time premiership player. He also reflects on the profound lessons he’s learnt both o...

Kalyn Ponga: NRL Champion and Advocate for Mental Wellbeing The first episode of REAL STUFF season 3, host Hunter Johnson sits down with Kalyn Ponga, captain of the Newcastle Knights and reigning Dally M Medalist. From the high-stakes world of NRL to advocating for mental health, Kalyn shares his journey and insights. Kalyn is celebrated not only for his on-field achievements as a State of Origin...

Stu Gregor: Four Pillars Gin co-founder Want to become a shareholder of STUFF? Find out more here - https://www.birchal.com/company/stuff In this episode of “Real STUFF”, Hunter sits down with Australian success story, Stu Gregor. Stu is the co-founder of Four Pillars Gin which he scaled to become a phenomenal success and household name, which led to its recent acquisition by Lion.  Stu chats thro...

Paul Bassat: Visionary Investor & Business Founder Want to become a shareholder of STUFF? Find out more here - https://www.birchal.com/company/stuff In this episode of “Real STUFF”, Hunter chats with one of Australia’s most prominent investors and business people, Paul Bassat. Paul’s background is quite extraordinary and ranges from Co-Founder of one of Australia’s most successful online businesse...

Dr Arne Rubinstein: doctor, counsellor, mentor, speaker & workshop facilitator In this week’s episode of "Real STUFF” our host Hunter Johnson sits down with Founder of the Rites of Passage Institute, Dr Arne Rubinstein, an internationally recognised expert on rites of passage and adolescent development. A GP, author, social commentator - and a longtime mentor to Hunter. Arne has worked with teenag...

Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran: Australian contemporary artist - but don’t put him in a box In this week’s episode of "Real STUFF” our host Hunter Johnson sits down with the contemporary artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran at the Sydney Opera House. During the podcast, Hunter and Ramesh explore various themes related to art, identity, and cultural values. Ramesh is a Sri Lankan-Australian artist best know...

Brad Banducci: the leader of Australia’s most trusted brand, Woolworths Kicking off Season 2 of the Real STUFF podcast, Hunter Johnson is humbled to be in conversation with Woolworths CEO and Managing Director Brad Banducci, one of the most respected corporate leaders in the country. Their chat explores purpose, leadership, and well-being in business and in life. An Italian-South African, Brad mov...

In the second Father’s Day special of Real STUFF, Hunter Johnson sits down with retired Rugby Union legend Dean Mumm. Dean’s professional sports career included over 100 appearances for the NSW Waratahs, 3 years in the UK playing for Exeter and 56 caps for the Australian Wallabies. Outside of his inspiring sports career and transition into business, Dean opens up about his journey to fatherhood. D...

In this special Father’s Day episode of Real STUFF, Hunter Johnson interviews Michael Schneider, Managing Director of one of Australia’s most iconic and trusted retailers, Bunnings. As well as his role at Bunnings leading a team of 52,000 people across Australia and New Zealand, Mike is the father of two young men. If that's not enough hats to be wearing, he’s also the Chairman of the Love Me Love...

Real STUFF flips the script in this episode, with Hunter Johnson interviewing the interviewer extraordinaire, Holly Ransom. What the hell is it with these snowflake millennials, huh? Warm up for winter with this fast-paced fire-cracker of a conversation and blitz through generational divides, harmful stereotypes, and what it takes to maintain a peak mental state as a young person in today’s world....

This week on Real STUFF, Hunter sits down with the legendary Michael Hooper, an Australian professional rugby union player and captain of the Wallabies – the Australian national team. This chat covers topics like Michael’s biggest lessons in leadership, the power of asking for help, managing mental health and rites of passage. They also discuss their experiences with hard times, the pressures that...

Real STUFF hits some raw edges in this episode, with Hunter Johnson interviewing one of Australia’s most free-speaking mental health experts, Dr Zac Seidler. Debunking a tonne of speculations and hypotheses on men’s mental health, this conversation cuts to the bone with everyday ways to check in on ourselves and our mates. Amidst loads of ridiculous teenage references and hilarious accounts of gro...

Real STUFF guest James O’Connor has experienced more adrenaline rushes than most. After playing for Australia in front of thousands of fans as a youngster, he was a model, a party boy, a substance abuser and spent time in jail. Chatting to Hunter Johnson, the Reds star reveals the biggest feel good of all. This conversation tears through assumptions about masculinity and what it takes to walk the...

Real STUFF puts creativity, mental health and transcendental experiences on the agenda this week with Monte Morgan, better recognised as one half of cult pop duo Client Liaison. We’re not going to lie, having participated in screaming throngs as this guy strutted the festival stage over the past ten years, we may be feeling just a teensy bit awestruck. But rest assured, Monte is as down-to-earth,...

Real STUFF covers bold new territory in this episode with youth advocate, Rhodes Scholar, and feminist Yasmin Poole. What is feminism and how can men play a role? How do we check our own behaviour to help others belong? Composed, raw, and driven from an early age to speak truth to power, Yasmin sees feminism as an inclusive term, allowing all of us to challenge our understanding of discrimination...

Real STUFF this week kicks it up a gear as Hunter Johnson interviews the iconic Bombers captain Dyson Heppell. The two talk in real terms about club culture, keeping perspective and not letting fame go to your head (with or without dreads). A corker for anyone wanting to understand what high performance looks like when it comes to competing in elite teams. In this episode, get real insights on STU...

Real STUFF digs into the transformation of masculinity with one of the leaders of the movement, Tom Harkin, founder of Tomorrow Man. The mutual respect between Hunter and Tom allows a cut-to-the-chase deep dive into the journey to manhood in all its beauty, bravery and bullshit. Tom’s experience holding space for vulnerability in men, whether they be elite athletes or high-performance executives,...

Real STUFF spins the tables on Dylan Buckley and Daniel Gorringe of List Cloggers fame. These boys are well adept at shooting rapid-fire banter and self-effacing quips down the mic, and are the first to step up and support causes like The Man Cave, but when Hunter goes deep into how these footy legends support each other and their own mental health… frankly we all get a bit choked up. Nothing like...