The Charles Kovess Show

In this week’s episode, I share insights from my whirlwind trip to Berlin for the European Industrial Hemp Association Conference, where I spoke about international expansion in my role as an Executive Board Member of the Federation of International Hemp Organizations.  The energy in the room was electric—passionate “hempsters” from around the globe united by a shared cause to promote this extraor...

In this week's episode, I explore the vital truth that your life is in your blood.  Inspired by Shane Leong’s powerful presentation at the World of Wellness, I explain why you must take ownership of your health by getting and understanding your blood test results.  Your blood carries your life force, and the so-called “normal range” used by most doctors is a woefully inadequate analysis.  You...

In this week's episode, I challenge the dangerous obsession with perfection, especially in our expectations of politicians, partners, professionals, personnel, and priests. Prompted by ongoing reactions to Donald Trump, I explore how Trump Derangement Syndrome has blinded many to his achievements simply because he doesn't fit a moral ideal. This same pursuit of perfection undermines our...

In this week’s episode, I explore why passionate leaders are essential for building great businesses.  If leaders lack passion, their teams simply can’t find the spark to deliver extraordinary results.  Drawing on current political examples, I contrast Peter Dutton’s passionless leadership and the disastrous election results for the Liberal Party with Donald Trump and Bobby Kennedy Jr., who both e...

In this week's episode, I reflect on the importance of freedom, especially during this significant time around Anzac Day.  I dive deep into why the ANZACs fought and why their sacrifices matter more than ever.  I explore how freedom is under attack in many subtle and not-so-subtle ways: unreasonable laws, corrupt judges, government overspending, 15-minute cities, climate lies, bodily autonomy...

In this week’s episode, I tackle the rise of the “I’m offended” crowd - a devious and calculated game that threatens your freedom of speech.  This manipulative strategy has surged over the past decade, weaponising feelings to silence those with differing views. I break down nine practical responses you can use when someone plays this game with you. From the dismissive “And?” to more playful or poi...

In this 225th episode, which also marks the fifth anniversary of the Show, I reflect on one of the biggest questions we all face: will you choose truth or comfort? The recent announcement of a federal election in Australia sparked my further exploration of how our values shape our choices — especially when it comes to government spending, personal integrity, and national sustainability.  More than...

In this episode, I share my recent travels to Ireland and Hungary, where I pursued my mission to promote industrial hemp as a solution to Ireland’s looming €8 billion emissions penalty from the EU. Speaking at the Hemp Horizons Conference in Dublin, I outlined five practical ways hemp can help reduce greenhouse gases while revitalising Irish agriculture. From uniforms for first responders to susta...

In this episode, just after Valentine's Day, I focus on the extraordinary potential of industrial hemp and its power to revolutionise our world.  As I prepare to travel to Europe to speak at the Hemp Horizons Conference in Dublin, Ireland on 27 February , I share powerful, startling, provocative insights into how hemp can solve major global challenges. (Go to hemphorizons.org) Australia faces...

Anxiety is a debilitating force that holds many people back, but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, I share a wonderful roadmap to eliminate anxiety with nine practical steps that can transform your anxious life.  Drawing on over 31 years of experience working with clients, I guide you through a structured process to understand, identify, and ultimately overcome the beliefs and thoughts that fue...

In this episode, I reflect on Australia Day 2025 and the broader concept of national culture. Every nation has a culture shaped by its people, and I challenge you to consider: what do you want your national culture to be? Drawing on examples from Australian history and my family’s immigrant journey from Hungary, I discuss how culture evolves, how migration influences it, and why not all cultures a...

In this episode, I dive into a bold and powerful theme for 2025: "Holding the Bastards Accountable." I share my vision for ensuring that politicians and bureaucrats who behave badly, dishonestly, or corruptly are held to account, even after leaving office.  Reflecting on the changes since the start of this show in 2020, I highlight how much our lives have shifted and the importance of st...

In this week's episode, I explore the fascinating concept of reality and how we can shape it. As we approach the Christmas and New Year period—a time of reflection and possibilities—it's the perfect opportunity to examine what drives our beliefs and behaviours. I discuss the truth that we each create our reality and I unpack what it means to be "realistic". I pose nine pivotal...

In this week’s episode of The Charles Kovess Show, I explore the profound insights and inspirations gleaned from Barbra Streisand’s new autobiography, My Name is Barbra . This 950-page masterpiece not only showcases her exceptional career and achievements but also provides a powerful lens through which we can examine self-awareness and passion. Barbra’s detailed journaling, a habit she maintained...

In this week’s episode, I explore the concept of tipping points in history and the profound impact they have on humanity. Using examples such as the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reigns of leaders like Stalin and Hitler, I delve into how pivotal moments can drastically alter our trajectory, for better or worse.  The focus of this episode is my declaration that Donald Trump’s re-election would ma...

In this episode, I explore the recently released Australian government inquiry into its C0V!D-19 actions.  This inquiry, though limited and nowhere near the thoroughness of a proper Royal Commission, uncovers a disturbing catalogue of questionable and unlawful conduct by politicians, public servants, and government consultants.  I argue that these were not "mistakes" as claimed, but deli...

In this week’s episode, I dive deep into the critical issue of the rule of law and its importance in maintaining a well-functional society. I argue that the rule of law is being systematically undermined, it is being trashed, not just in Australia, but globally. This is causing immense harm to individuals and communities as governments and legal systems fail to uphold justice.  I share personal in...

In this episode, I tackle the troubling issue of politicians behaving badly.  While it's easy to dismiss this as something they always do, I’m particularly frustrated with how blatant this bad behaviour has become.  What makes it worse is that we, the public, have elected these politicians and yet we treat them as if they’re above us. It’s time to stop treating them like demigods and remember...

In this week’s episode, I focus on a single but powerful idea: the question of education. I reflect on what a "good" education means, noting that despite its universal importance, there’s no consensus on what a “good” education actually is.  Some view success as a direct result of formal schooling, but I challenge this by sharing examples of highly successful and competent individuals wh...

In this week’s episode, I dive into the remarkable power of imagination and its vital role in our lives.  I discuss how imagination, more important than knowledge as Albert Einstein said, is a unique human quality that enables us to solve problems and unlock our potential.  Unlike artificial intelligence or robots, we possess a "minestrone soup" of conscious and subconscious mind, spirit...

In this episode, I explore the pervasive misinformation and disinformation propagated by governments and big corporations, while these same entities purport to protect us from falsehoods.  The irony is overwhelming, as governments introduce legislation to ban so-called "disinformation" while so often being the source of inaccuracies and lies themselves.  I discuss how this issue is playi...

In this week’s episode, I explore the critical question: should you give up when faced with challenges, or persevere despite the odds?  I share several examples to illustrate the power of perseverance.  Barbra Streisand’s story from her autobiography is inspiring—her relentless pursuit of a singing and acting career despite immense obstacles is a testament to passion. I also highlight the struggle...

In this week's episode, I focus on creating a great place to work and explore principles that apply to all teams, whether in workplaces, charities, sporting teams, or even families.  The inspiration for this topic comes from a major 4-page wraparound article this week in The Australian on the "Best Places to Work 2024".  I've spent over 31 years running workshops in various org...

In this episode, I discuss the growing "complaints industry" and how it’s being used to suppress free speech and erode our freedoms. From a Queensland Christian minister under fire for refusing to perform a "Welcome to Country" ritual, to a Melbourne lollipop man banned from high-fiving children after one parent complained, I explore how single complaints are given disproportio...

In this week's episode, I delve into the complexities of financial planning, drawing from my extensive background as a lawyer and businessman. I discuss the evolution of the financial planning industry and how the increasing complexity has made it difficult for people to find competent financial planners. Many experienced professionals have left the industry due to over-regulation, leaving co...