Game of Life Podcast

Dan is joined by returning guest, and now international music theatre superstar, Andrew Coshan in the first catch up themed episode of the podcast! We chat about getting close to the role of Joe in Sunset Boulevard, making the decision committing to London, securing the first job in A Face in the Crowd, having a good understanding of where you stand within the Australian theatre industry, starting...

The podcast is back after a short break! Dan is joined by a legend in the business and horror icon, John Jarratt! We chat about his new film What About Sal, the current crisis of Australian film, funding a film, the movie going experience, the enjoyment of what he does, writing, wearing many different hats, gaining inspiration from others, finding the character of Mick Taylor for Wolf Creek, never...

In this special episode, Harman returns to the co-hosting seat! Dan and Harman are joined by a former soldier, former chef, and now one of the best comedians out there, Jarryd Goundrey! We chat about making content for a living, the freedom of the podcast format, calendar pressure, the sustainable amount of content, comparison. being computer illiterate, teaser clips, sitting in the sweet spot zon...

Dan is joined by actor, singer, and incredible human David Hull! David's been a dream guest for ages! We chat about working on How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying with Daniel Radcliffe, performing for David Letterman, replacing and understudying people on Broadway shows, originating roles, a dreams of designing roller coasters, performing in a theme park, a career in show business fee...

Dan is joined by actor and singer and legend in the business, Jay Laga'aia! We chat about his visit at Monash Primary School, having an impact on young people, knowing there was something else outside of rugby, the cosmic purse, always being a hustler from the get go, allowing yourself to be saved, not isolating yourself, embracing failure, looking like a genius, asking until you understand, chang...

Dan is joined by actor and singer Chris Scalzo! We chat about working fifteen years in the music theatre industry, the difficulty and strict protocols of Moulin Rouge, shutting down mid show, delayed starts for other shows, loosing all power to QPAC, performing Wicked without lighting, becoming more resilient as a performer, being a little bit more measured while studying, starting to be seen as a...

Dan is joined by actor, singer, dancer, and absolute superstar, Callum Marshall! We chat about his experience working on Victorian Opera's Follies, being surrounded by legends of the industry, doing a scene with Marina Prior, thriving in the deep end, being inspired by Jack Chambers, telling stories through his addiction to Newsies, working for the first time overseas, back in the grind, corporate...

Dan is joined by two musical theatre superstars, Tana Laga'aia and returning guest Daniel Raso! This episode was recorded when Tana and Daniel were both in Jesus Christ Superstar, and a few days before Daniel was about to start rehearsals for Beetlejuice. We chat about the experience of working on Jesus Christ Superstar, the work of the ensemble, Michael Paynter, no substitute for hard work, knowi...

Dan is joined by writer, producer, and director Brannon Braga! Brannon has been a dream guest since the podcast began, so this was an absolute thrill to finally be able to have him on the show! We chat about the importance of communication, the joys of collaboration, the solitary mystique of writing, working in solitude, initially wanting to be an actor, trading the headshots in for a typewriter,...

The 250th episode! Dan is joined by photographer, Matty Parker! We chat about the long apprenticeship one has to take before calling themselves a photographer, growing up in the country, the country work ethic, leaving Sydney, figuring out what you actually want to do, spending too long researching and procrastinating, having nothing to lose, filming and documenting the process of learning to be a...

Dan is joined by the soon to be Elder Price in the new upcoming Australian production of Book of Mormon, Sean Johnston! We start off the podcast with Sean responding to a message left from Australia's first Elder Price, Ryan Bondy. Sean then answers a couple of questions left by Nick Cox, his soon to be Elder Cunningham! We then go on to chat about the audition process of The Book of Mormon, findi...

Dan is joined by legendary and iconic actress, presenter, director, and writer, Colette Mann!! So many good stories in this one! Need to get Colette back on the podcast for a part two! We chat about the overused word of legend, living and working in London, raising the roof off a tent, being on Neighbours for ten years, reinvigorating a career, staying sane while working on a soap opera, being abl...

Dan is joined by musical theatre superstar, Matthew Prime! We chat about Matt's time working on Tina, Black Out Night, wrapping up a show, the lifestyle of freelance work, having a show cut short, investing yourself in a show, wanting to be an architect, music theatre camp, not associating fun with jobs, quitting commerce, the VCA foundation course, putting yourself on show everyday, the tangible...

Groundhog Day week continues onto Day 14 as Dan is joined by Rachel Cole (Swing) & Kate Yaxley (Joelle) for yet another trip down memory lane! We talk about the Groundhog Day group chat, the talent within the cast, the end of the show, the fanbase, wanting to be Bob Hawke growing up, juggling two careers, clinging to security and stability, Rachel's financial advice within the music theatre co...

Groundhog Day Week returns! Dan is joined by Matt Hourigan (Swing) & Connor Sweeney (Ralph) as Groundhog Day Week continues onto Day 13 after an extended hiatus! We chat about missing the show and the people, appreciating the casting process, the fast paced audition turnaround, an acting job for management training in the construction industry, looking at the rehearsal process from a swing's p...

Dan is joined by comedian, writer, satirist, and former radio presenter, Sammy J! We chat about getting back into stand up comedy, the first time I saw Sammy perform in Canberra, talking to your younger self, ambition outweighing talent, not being afraid to be on your own, the complex relationship with nerves, the underrated skill of communication, not straying far from the dream, musical comedy,...

Dan is joined by musical theatre superstar Josh Gates, who is currently in the ensemble for the new Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar! We chat about the intensity of working on Jesus Christ Superstar, feeling more connected as a member of the ensemble, not feeling static, knowing there's always more in the tank, the rehearsal period, the importance of previews, starting out in the in...

Dan is joined by musical theatre superstar from London's West End, Iroy Abesamis, recorded during the thick of the most recent production of Guys and Dolls. We chat about swinging on Guys and Dolls, the immersive show experience, starting out with the Miss Saigon tour, life in London, working for Disneyland in Hong Kong, being in a supportive environment, wanting to be a priest, studying, finding...

Dan is joined by actor Lucas Neff, who you have seen in television shows including Raising Hope, Downward Dog, The Handmaid's Tale, and Carol's Second Act, to name a few. We chat about the initial ignorance of the business while working on Raising Hope, being the number one on the call sheet, taking a minute with things, learning on the job, working with the more experienced cast members, approach...

Dan is joined by actor Silas Weir Mitchell, who you may have seen in many television shows and movies over the years, including Rat Race, Prison Break, Grimm, Dexter, 24, Monk, and My Name Is Earl, to name a few. We chat about his time working on Grimm and Prison Break, the pressure of being a guest star and shooting a pilot, being witness to the evolution of a series, figuring out what you're doi...

Dan is joined by comedian, Steve Hughes! We chat about coming back to Australia after living and working in the UK, being in a thrash heavy metal band, not being a fan of the comedy scene, hate speech, thought crime, destroying sovereignty, borders, consumerism, city rangers, being and outlier, sport, good timing, just making the thing, nature needing action, taking away gratitude, the internet, c...

Dan is joined by comedian, Kelsey De Almeida! We chat about Kelsey's own podcast he had during lockdown, showing you're interested, always anticipating the awkward silence, how he ended up Australia, the gentle rivalry between Australia and the Brits, finding success in Australia, The Comic's Lounge, discovering stand up, entering into a comedy competition, retaining new material, the law of avera...

Dan is joined by actor, writer, producer, director, and brilliant comic mind, Phil Lloyd! We chat about the making of Review with Myles Barlow, the US version of Review, dealing with the pressure of being a lead in a show, putting things in a box, initially wanting to be a pilot, making short films, the intensity of working in the writer's room of Home and Away, the collaboration and partnership w...

Dan is joined by actor, Don McManus! Don has appeared in a multitude of movies and television shows over the years, including Vice, The Shawshank Redemption, National Treasure, Hannibal, Ocean's Thirteen, Air Force One, NCIS, Justified, Seinfeld, and Star Trek: Voyager, to name a few. We chat about his turn on Star Trek: Voyager, working with William Shatner, allowing yourself to relax in front of...

Dan is joined by character actor, Randy Oglesby! Randy has appeared on many television series and films over the years, including Unthinkable, The Island, Liar Liar, Independence Day, Patch Adams, Star Trek: Enterprise, Boston Legal, WandaVision, and For All Mankind, to name a few. So many good stories in this one! We chat about the pronunciation of his surname, his run on Star Trek: Enterprise as...