The Matt O'Hanlon Podcast

Michael Brine, executive chef and co-owner of Touch of Salt, joins the podcast to reflect on 20 years of building one of Townsville’s most respected restaurants. From opening Touch of Salt at just 26, to earning chef’s hats, navigating COVID, mentoring young chefs, and shaping Townsville’s food culture, Michael shares the lessons, challenges, and philosophy that have helped the restaurant stand th...

In this episode of the Matt O’Hanlon Podcast, I sit down with Kellie Stephenson , the woman behind Support Local with Kellie and one of Townsville’s strongest advocates for small business and community connection. Kellie shares her full journey, to selling everything and travelling Australia, to starting Support Local Townsville from a hospital bed and growing it into a movement used more than 330...

Today on the Matt O’Hanlon Podcast we sit down with Natalie Marr, the Member for Thuringowa, to explore the stories, challenges and community spirit shaping Townsville. Natalie shares her journey from growing up in Kelso to serving as a councillor, a volunteer, and now an MP. We talk about the early days in customer service, the lessons that shaped her leadership, and the people who influenced her...

What happens when life hits harder than any opponent? In this episode, Matt sits down with boxer, mum, and business owner Chloe Luby , who shares how stepping into the ring helped her rebuild after leaving a toxic relationship, find strength through discipline, and inspire others through her journey. From running her local coffee van Frankie’s Bean to training for her professional boxing debut and...

Eleni Millios-Hullick charts her path from pioneering Townsville restaurateur and precinct-builder to CEO of The Cure Starts Now, where she mobilises community, business and researchers to take on childhood brain cancer. She opens up about purposeful leadership, transparent advocacy, collaboration that breaks silos, and the city’s role in funding peer-reviewed research that punches above its weigh...

In Episode 6 of The Matt O’Hanlon Podcast , we sit down with Steve McDonald, a leader in Townsville’s property scene for more than 20 years. From starting in property management in 2001 to building his own specialist agency across Townsville and the Sunshine Coast, Steve has faced the highs and lows of real estate from natural disasters like the 2019 floods, to market downturns, to the challenges...

What if the energy in your home could change your health, wealth, and happiness? In this episode, we sit down with Feng Shui Master Jan Leese, who has spent over 30 years studying and practicing classical Feng Shui and Chinese astrology around the world. From helping her own son recover from illness through a simple room change, to guiding families and businesses with powerful transformations, Jan...

In this episode, Matt O’Hanlon sits down with Janelle Poole, Member for Mundingburra and a former frontline police officer with nearly three decades of service in Townsville. From chasing offenders in a suit to running a campaign during cancer treatment, Janelle’s story is anything but ordinary. She opens up about her unexpected leap into politics, her deep roots in the Townsville community, and w...

Terry Campese, notable former NRL playmaker for the Canberra Raiders and international representative for Australia, NSW, and Italy, has reinvented himself as a community leader and mentor. Through the Terry Campese Foundation, founded in 2012, he drives youth empowerment across Canberra, Queanbeyan and beyond by building resilience, confidence, and purpose through mentorship and the "Breakin...

In this episode, Matt O’Hanlon sits down with Brett Geiszler, Owner of Astute Financial Townsville West and one of North Queensland’s most experienced mortgage brokers. Since 1997, Brett has helped borrowers navigate the lending landscape across Townsville, Mackay and Central Queensland. Brett shares his insights on where borrowers often get it wrong, where they get it right, and why a regular mor...

In the very first episode of The Matt O’Hanlon Podcast , Matt sits down with Darren Robins, Managing Director of Herron Todd White North Queensland. With over 17 years of experience in property consultancy and valuation, Darren brings a wealth of knowledge on residential, commercial and industrial real estate across the region. From his early days in banking to his leadership role at one of the co...