Straight Talk with Mark Bouris

We see all the headlines and outrage regarding Australain Rugby Union, and to be honest, I’m a bit bored with all the media antics. I want to understand the real intricacies of what created this mess. I sat down with Stephen Hoiles, a former Wallaby, grassroots rugby coach for Randwick, and TV analyst, who knows the current state of rugby inside and out. Drawing from his experience as a player, co...

These days, digging into real philosophy and virtues feels like a lost art. It was cool to bounce ideas with Ryan Holiday, a prolific writer who’s breathed new life into stoicism and modern philosophy. Ryan’s bestsellers like ‘Ego is the Enemy’ and ‘The Obstacle Is The Way’ have sold over four million copies and dominated bestseller lists for more than 200 weeks. We spoke about his life...

The Matildas are absolute superstars in Australia right now, and they’ve earned every bit of that title. It was a great thrill chatting with Matildas star Caitlin Foord, and learning about her mindset and life story before she heads off to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this one! We had a great chat about Caitlin's journey from Shellharbour to becoming a football superst...

Josh Szeps is an Australian-born broadcaster, writer, and commentator known for his work in media and journalism. Josh's curiosity and intellect has seen him interview some of the biggest names in comedy, journalism and politics. Like many working in the media today, he’s dealt with the consequences of discussing controversial issues and agendas. It was awesome to hear Josh’s unique perspective on...

Rick Grossman is an Australian rock musician renowned for his role as the bass guitarist for two iconic Australian bands, Divinyls and Hoodoo Gurus. Rick's rockstar journey has seen incredible highs and challenging lows. He shot to international fame with the Divinyls but faced a tough battle with heroin addiction, which led to his departure from the band in 1987. After a long and hard-fought reco...

Millie Ford is one of the fastest-rising creatives in Australia. Having amassed over 1.7 million followers online with her uncanny portrayal of everyday teachers, parents and shop assistants. Millie has also appeared on Home And Away and has recently made her musical debut, collaborating with Hellcat Speedracer on the summer anthem Lovestruck. We had an honest conversation on mental health, findin...

As a kid from Punchbowl, I wasn’t your typical surfer, but I still became mad obsessed with the sport. One of my fondest childhood memories was heading to my local news agency to pick up a surf magazine. Surf media has evolved significantly since those days, far beyond those paper magazines. It was great chatting with the co-founder of Stab Mag Sam McIntosh to dive deeper into the surfing world. W...

Apart of my morning routine is getting into my car and tuning into Ben Fordham on 2GB. It was great to finally sit down and chat with one of Australia’s leading voices on the radio. We covered a wide range of topics including Ben's family dynamics and insights from growing up with his father, John, a legendary talent manager, and his mother, Veronica. We also spoke about how the fear of failure mo...

Whether you love him or hate him, you cannot deny Nick Kyrgios's uncanny ability to entertain. It’s taken a while to get Nick on the pod but the wait is finally over. It was awesome to get to know who the real Nick Kyrgios is. We covered a wide range of topics, including his Greek heritage, journey to success, challenges of fame and social media, his relationship with his girlfriend...

As someone who has been a rugby league fan since the '60s, it's fair to say that the NRL could be in its best state yet. Much of the strength we see in the game today is owed to the work of my latest Straight Talk guest, John Quayle. John served as the General Manager and CEO of the NSWRL and ARL from 1983-1996. Under his leadership, the game underwent significant changes, including the iconic Tin...

In these politically divisive times, whether we sit on the left or the right, it’s crucial to engage in respectful conversations with one another. In this week's Straight Talk pod I spoke to founder of Cheek Media Hannah Ferguson about the current state of journalism and Australian politics. Hannah and I have different perspectives from our life experiences, but I found it very insightful to hear...

I've always been fascinated by successful leaders and coaches. Why can some make it happen and others not? Paul Roos turned around a 72-year losing culture at the Sydney Swans and deeply contributed to the club’s popularity we see today. If there’s someone qualified to talk about leadership and coaching, it’s Paul. I’ve long admired how he inspired change and instilled a winning mentality at...

George Kambosos Jr has never cut corners in his boxing career, and his next bout is shaping up to be his toughest challenge yet. The former world champ will face Vasiliy Lomachenko, one of this generation's most decorated boxers, on May 12 in Perth. Us Aussie boxing fans are greatly indebted to George for his relentless pursuit in bringing the best fights Down Under. If you're looking for mot...

It's always puzzled me how those who bring us the most laughter often battle the greatest demons. Dan reinvented himself after an underwhelming AFL career and became one of Australia's most popular podcasters. But reaching this success off the footy field has been a hell of a mental battle.  We spoke about : Dan's childhood Becoming a no.10 pick in the AFL draft  The struggles in his foo...

Robert Kiyosaki is an acclaimed entrepreneur, author, and investor best known for his influential book series "Rich Dad Poor Dad," which emphasises financial education and wealth-building principles. The legendary book has gone on to sell more than 40 million copies in over 100 countries worldwide. I caught up with Robert while he was Down Under for his last speaking tour ever in Australia. W...

The first cricketer to represent Australia without a first-class match to his name... David Warner has never shied away from going first, he has made a career out of it. It was a real privilege to hear David's perspective on his legendary career in my latest Straight Talk. We spoke about his childhood, rise to the national cricket team, his batting approach, relationships with teammates such as St...

We all love a success story, but what we value even more is a comeback story. George Calombaris has made his mistakes but he is not hiding from them. George is an accomplished Australian chef and restaurateur, widely recognised for his culinary expertise and contributions to the food industry. Renowned as a former judge on the popular television show 'Masterchef Australia'. While George's career h...

Willie Mason has observed the NRL for over 20 years as a junior player, NRL star, veteran, commentator and now as a coach. The 43-year-old's keen eye is now paying dividends as as a pathways coach for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and a co-host for one of rugby league's most popular podcasts on the 'Levels Network'. We discussed various topics, including the 2024 season launch of the NRL in Ve...

Before there was such a thing as Nedd Brockmann, Pat Farmer was who inspired the Australian people regarding endurance feats... Pat is most well known as the only person who ran successfully from the North to the South Pole. Yes, Pat ran 21,000 km from the top of the earth to the bottom, nearly dying in his pursuits, but his no.1 rule in life is when you start something, you have to finish it. The...

Melissa Leong is an independent Australian food writer, critique connoisseur, and media personality.  Driven by curiosity, Melissa has transitioned from writing books to becoming a star on television, marking a successful career journey. From judging on the Masterchef to interviewing UFC fighters, Melissa finds it easy to adapt in the media with her genuine fascination of human being's storie...

An Australian film getting a sequel is a rare sight, but The Dry was such a good mystery-thriller that it demands a follow-up titled The Force of Nature. In an exclusive long-form interview, world-class Australian actor Eric Bana joins Mark Bouris to discuss the making of The Dry 2, directed by Robert Connolly and Eric's business partner. Bana talks about what it took to make the sequel, the impor...

Jeff 'Morgs' Morgan is a former bank robber who has become a life and mindset coach. He had a difficult upbringing in Redfern but was able to transform his life by creating a program called "Cut the Bullshit". Jeff shares his insights into his past challenges and the principles that guide his coaching approach. In this conversation, you will discover how he overcame adversity, served prison time,...

Jonathan Pease, an experienced creative and communication expert, shares practical insights from his latest book “Winning The Room: Storyteller Tactics for Speeches, Pitch Meetings, and Everyday Life.” Jonathan will help you conquer your public speaking fears, captivate your audience and build trust in any room. He will share his proven strategies for turning nervous energy into charisma and provi...

Vincent Wong is a 37-year-old Chinese Australian who has faced varying degrees of adversity throughout his life.  Despite a challenging upbringing in Auburn, he has risen to great heights of success in business as the Director of Astute Agency , showcasing his resilience. Vincent's survival mentality, the impact of his father, and the turbulent business journey led to an almost downward spira...

Sports journalist Andrew Webster has authored a revealing exploration of Wayne Bennett, Australia's greatest rugby league coach. Webster delves into the intriguing life of Bennett, who has won seven premierships and unparalleled ability to manage players and the public eye. Webster uncovers the paradoxes within Bennett's character, revealing a self-professed introvert who effortlessly captivates a...