BLXCK INK Podcast

Gabi Ghasseb is a Bunbury City councillor, long-time local, and mayoral candidate in the 2025 Bunbury City Council elections. Born in Lebanon to Lebanese and Syrian parents, Gabi migrated to Australia at age 7 and has lived in Bunbury ever since. He has a background in business and community service, and is known for his strong empathy, grassroots engagement, and commitment to making Bunbury a thr...

Rhys “Crawf” Crawford is a South Bunbury footballer and now premiership player. Known for his grit on the field and commitment off it, Crawf’s story is one of discipline, personal growth, and community. From footy culture and Mad Mondays to training, sobriety, and chasing back-to-back flags, he embodies what it means to put everything on the line for club and team.

In this episode I sit down with Sue Chapman – surgeon, former federal election candidate, and community leader – for an unfiltered conversation about life, politics, and personal growth. We cover everything from emotional intelligence, self-reflection, and the lessons hidden in failure, through to the messy reality of elections, smear campaigns, and the future of Bunbury. Sue shares her journey in...

Back in the studio for the third time is Jaysen Miguel, the current Mayor of Bunbury, who is now putting his hand up for re-election. With ballots going out soon, this conversation dives into what’s at stake for Bunbury’s future — housing, CBD revitalisation, community safety, local events, and how council dynamics shift with new members. While I keep things fairly neutral in the chat, this is an...

From running one of Bunbury’s most iconic nightclubs for over two decades to now owning a beachfront café, Glen “Fitzy” Fitzgerald has seen it all. In this episode, we dive into the untold stories behind Fitzgerald’s Nightclub, the licensing battles, the nightlife culture of the 2000s, and how the city’s identity has shifted over the years. Glen shares candid reflections on running a late-night ve...

This week on the BLXCK INK Podcast, I sit down with Durak Tucker — former AFL player whose journey through footy is as raw as it gets. From the highs of being drafted to the Sydney Swans at just 18, to the heartbreak of repeated injuries and the crushing reality of being delisted, Durak opens up about the mental battles, the identity crisis that followed, and how he found his way back to loving th...

In this episode, I sit down with Kai — a bold, fearless creative who has made waves in hairdressing, fashion, and self-expression at just 21. We dive deep into his journey from facing bullying and violence in high school, to finding empowerment in the hair industry, to becoming unapologetically himself in front of the world. Kai opens up about resilience, authenticity, and using difference as a st...

Abandoned the Patreon idea due to popular demand. You're welcome.

From sticky nightclub floors and festival euphoria to building dream homes and chasing family goals. Deon has lived both ends of the lifestyle spectrum. In this episode, we dive into the wild nights of Bunbury’s golden-era party scene, the “boys being boys” antics that somehow didn’t kill anyone, and how those years shaped his drive in business today. Deon shares what it’s like to walk away from t...

In this marathon 3.5-hour conversation, I sit down with designer, creative, and former Club Good co-host Scott Mellor for a deep dive into the realities of creative life, personal growth, and everything in between. We talk openly about the evolution of our views on work, relationships, and self-worth, the addictive pull of projects, and what happens when the fire that once drove you starts to fade...

You dont get much more unique than Brandon Willington. Founder of Where U?, the digital agency behind some of the sharpest ad strategies in the game, Brandon has built a reputation on results — and built an empire by saying no to the wrong clients. In this episode, we sit down in his office on Adelaide Terrace for a wide-ranging conversation about business, behaviour, and the brutal truths most pe...

In this episode, I sit down with Shire President of Dardanup: Tyrrell Gardiner.. He's a cattle farmer and proud fourth-generation councillor. We unpack the realities of local government, the identity of regional WA, and the emotional weight of community leadership. From the evolving urban sprawl of Eaton and Millbridge to the ambitious future city of Wanju, Tyrrell brings grounded insight on what...

Meet Stephen Tate – the man behind some of Australia’s biggest TV shows. From launching Australian Idol to producing Survivor and I'm a Celebrity, Stephen’s fingerprints are all over Aussie television history. In this raw, funny, and eye-opening conversation, we talk about his 40-year media career, wild behind-the-scenes moments, the art of casting, and why he's more creatively free now than ever....

No guest, no script — just me, sitting down to talk about where I’ve been, what I’ve built, and why I do what I do. From running out of cash in a caravan to figuring out how to print shirts from home… this episode is about the real behind-the-scenes of growing a business when you’ve got no plan, just grit and curiosity. I talk about narrowing my scope, learning how to say no, and why being good at...

Recorded live during NAIDOC Week Light Projection at Tech Village Bunbury, this episode is a powerful celebration of Aboriginal storytelling, identity, and resilience. Jake sits down with Troy Bennell, renowned Nyoongar artist and cultural educator, and Rhonda Norman, a newly emerging artist and longtime public servant turned creative. Together, they explore deep truths about country, stolen gener...

In this episode of the BLXCK INK Podcast, Jake sits down with Jordy — long-time mate and owner of a respected medical clinic in Bunbury — for a real conversation about business, belief, and the kind of legacy worth building. This one goes deep on mentorship, ego-free decision-making, and how shared values can shape a better future — not just for yourself, but for your hometown. The two reflect on...

From AM crackle to podcast clarity — this one’s a ride. Cliff Reeve joins Jake for a brutally honest, hilarious, and heartfelt yarn that pulls back the curtain on nearly 50 years in WA radio. From teenage dreams in Bridgetown to a national award-winning career at Triple M and RadioWest, Cliff drops wisdom, wit, and the kind of stories you only get when someone stops giving a damn about corporate s...

Niomi Hurley — founder of Get Up and Grow Consulting — joins Jake for a powerful conversation about identity, healing, and what it really takes to live in alignment. With a background in corporate leadership, psychology, and hypnotherapy, Niomi brings a unique blend of spiritual depth and practical experience to the table. This episode unpacks the messy middle of self-development — from navigating...

Mayor Jaysen Miguel returns to the BLXCK INK podcast for a second round, two years after being my second-ever guest. Since that first yarn, Jaysen’s journey as Bunbury’s mayor has unfolded through community challenges, big wins, and a constant drive to build a thriving regional city. We talk leadership, legacy, lessons learned, and how far we’ve both come — 50 guests and thousands of conversations...

This episode is pure gold from start to finish. Gage Edgecombe returns for a classic long-form yarn — and it’s everything you’d expect and more. We talk about growing up, running goals, car disasters, quitting weed, and the subtle art of buying $50 dice for your mates (and never keeping one yourself). There’s big laughs, proper real talk about self-discipline, becoming a parent, and the tight-knit...

In this raw and reflective episode, I sit down with an old mate and former trucking mentor to unpack everything from learning to drive road trains to life-changing accidents, parenting with purpose, and leaving the shift work grind behind. From diesel spills to dad life, this one’s packed with laughs, insights, and plenty of real talk about growth, responsibility, and finding meaning in the chaos....

In todays episode of the BLXCK INK Podcast, I sit down with Ash to talk business, parenthood, identity, and everything in between. No script and zero fluff, we dive into how parenting twins shaped Ash's mindset, why niching into trade businesses changed her game, and the power of honest conversation in a digital world. Expect laughs, reflections, and some surprisingly deep chats about nature vs nu...

In this episode, we dive into a raw and meaningful conversation about storytelling, leadership, purpose, and the beauty of everyday life. Author Brendan shares the heart behind his book of short stories—each grounded in the unpredictability of life and the human experience. We explore themes like creating with intention, the privilege of adversity, and the power of conversation in a screen-saturat...

Support the podcast - www.blxckink.com.au April's limited BLXCK INK podcast merch now available  Follow BLXCK INK on  🖤 Instagram🖤  https://www.instagram.com/blxck.ink/?hl=en  🖤 Facebook 🖤  https://www.facebook.com/blxckink  And for all of your uniform needs Check out our uniform supply & print shop here! www.outfitco.com.au www.outfitco.com.au www.outfitco.com.au Please drop a comment wit...

Support the podcast - www.blxckink.com.au April's limited BLXCK INK podcast merch now available  Follow BLXCK INK on  🖤 Instagram🖤  https://www.instagram.com/blxck.ink/?hl=en  🖤 Facebook 🖤  https://www.facebook.com/blxckink  And for all of your uniform needs Check out our uniform supply & print shop here! www.outfitco.com.au www.outfitco.com.au www.outfitco.com.au Please drop a comment wit...