Podcast
Straight Talk with Mark Bouris
Hosted by Mentored.com.au · EN
Too often, we avoid real conversations. Entrepreneur Mark Bouris sits down and gets to know people, understands what makes them tick, and shares the great and unusual things they’re doing. There’s no sugar coating. There’s no hiding behind fancy marketing slogans. Just an honest conversation.
61episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
"It was a Disaster" Chris Joye on the Budget, Australia’s Property Correction, Trump & Bitcoin
1w ago01:11:32Tap to summarizeChris Joye is one of Australia's sharpest economic minds — a fund manager, AFR columnist, and architect of the indices used to measure Australian house prices. In this conversation, Joye delivers a blunt assessment of where Australia is headed economically. He argues the federal budget was a defining moment that exposed the government's agenda: taxing the private sector to fund an expanding public service. He connects that policy shift to rising inflation, falling house prices, and a growing brain drain that few politicians are willing to confront honestly. Topics covered: • Why the federal budget was a turning point for Australian economic confidence • Sydney and Melbourne house prices falling at double-digit annual rates • The RBA's inflation battle and why interest rates may need to go higher • Australia's national and state debt crisis and what it means for future taxes • The case for cutting the NDIS, selling the NBN, and raising the GST • Why high-net-worth Australians and entrepreneurs are quietly leaving • Trump's economic model and what Australia could learn from US prosperitySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Socceroos Legend Mark Schwarzer on World Cup 2026, Egypt & the Italy Heartbreak That Still Stings
2w ago00:55:19Tap to summarizeMark Schwarzer is one of the greatest goalkeepers Australia has ever produced — 109 caps, a Premier League career spanning two decades, and a front-row seat to some of football's most defining moments. Recorded during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, we break down Australia's chances against Egypt, what it actually feels like to face a penalty shootout, and why he believes the current Socceroos squad might be the most exciting group of Australian footballers ever assembled. We speak about:• How Australia should set up tactically against Mo Salah and Egypt • Why Kylian Mbappé appears to have more time on the ball than anyone else • The psychology of penalty shootouts from a goalkeeper's perspective • The infamous 2006 World Cup loss to Italy and Fabian Grosso's theatrical dive • Growing up in Grose Wold and his path from Marconi FC to European football • Football as the one sport that unites multicultural Australia • The John Travolta story from the Uruguay qualifier dressing roomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Dave Hughes: "You've lied to us all" Comedy Legend unloads on the budget & the capital gains tax & why he can't keep quiet
2w ago01:01:22Tap to summarizeDave Hughes is one of Australia's most recognisable comedians — but for the past six weeks, he has been one of the country's loudest voices on the budget changes to the Capital Gains Tax. Subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://the-mentored-platform-pty-ltd.myklpages.com/l/WWJGc5 Join my exclusive Mentored+ community: https://mentored.com.au/become-a-member/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Shark Attack Hero Shares the Story of the Terrifying Coogee Rescue
3w ago00:44:43Tap to summarizeHi guys, there is a GoFundMe for the woman injured in the attack, to help with her recovery and ongoing expenses. If you're able to, please consider donating: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-leah-stewart-victim-of-shark-attack-in-coogee Less than a fortnight after rescuing a woman during the great white shark attack at Coogee Beach, Charlie Verco joins us to reflect on what happened. Charlie shares what he saw, the decisions he made under immense pressure, and why years of surf lifesaving training prepared him for this terrifying moment. We spoke about: The moment Charlie realised the shark alarm was real What happened when the great white surfaced just metres away How he brought Leah safely back to shore on a racing paddleboard Why managing fear, rather than being fearless, made all the difference How surf lifesaving and Nippers shaped his response His views on shark safety, drone surveillance and Australia's approach to managing risk His message to Leah, whom he has not yet had the chance to speak with Join my exclusive Mentored+ community: https://mentored.com.au/become-a-member/ Subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://the-mentored-platform-pty-ltd.myklpages.com/l/WWJGc5 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Alan Kohler: "This Is Who Controls the Economy", Elon Musk & the Signals of an Economic Crisis
3w ago00:49:50Tap to summarizeAlan Kohler has spent more than 50 years at the centre of Australian financial journalism — and few people alive have watched this country's booms, busts, and policy shifts with more clarity. In this conversation, Mark and Alan trace the arc of Australian capitalism from the Poseidon nickel boom of 1969 through to the rise of Elon Musk and the AI era. Alan draws striking parallels between the charismatic deal-makers of the 1980s — Bond, Elliott, Skase — and the story-sellers of today, and explains why irrational exuberance always takes longer to unravel than anyone expects. He also gives a frank assessment of what Australian housing policy has got wrong, why superannuation remains the country's greatest economic achievement, and what capital gains tax reform should actually look like. We speak about: • The Poseidon nickel boom and what it taught a 17-year-old copy boy about markets • Why every major financial boom has a charismatic figure selling an irresistible story • Elon Musk, SpaceX, and whether a loss-making $2 trillion company makes any sense • How Basel banking rules quietly turned Australian banks into mortgage lenders • The 1999 capital gains tax change that accidentally supercharged the housing market • Paul Keating, superannuation, and the policy Alan considers Australia's greatest achievement • Lang Hancock, iron ore, and what real Australian entrepreneurialism looks like Join my exclusive Mentored+ community: https://mentored.com.au/become-a-member/ Subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://the-mentored-platform-pty-ltd.myklpages.com/l/WWJGc5 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Pro Boxer Liam Paro on Fighting for a World Title, Redemption & Dealing with Adversity
4w ago01:00:02Tap to summarizeLiam Paro is an Australia's leading professional boxer who is fighting for the IBF Welterweight World Title on June 24, and he's never been more ready. Exclusive to Main Event on Kayo Sports – next Wednesday on the 24th!Purchase the PPV here: https://kayosports.com.au/en-AU/welcome/ppv/paro-v-crocker?extcamp=parovcrockerorgsoc-soc-kyo-lnk-kayo-acq-mma-straighttalk&channel=straighttalk&campaign=parovcrocker The North Queensland kid who once slept in his car to chase his dream reveals what it really takes to become a world champion. Liam opens up about what an 11-kilogram weight cut actually does to your body, why moving up to welterweight may be the best decision of his career, and the brutal mental battle that takes place between the ropes that most fans never see. He also shares the heartbreaking story of losing his best mate in 2015, the promise he made as a 13-year-old sitting on his mum's kitchen bench, and why his late friend's initials have been stitched onto his trunks for every fight since. We also discuss: How sparring with Jeff Horn's camp before the Manny Pacquiao fight changed everything. The southpaw footwork battle most fans never notice. Why fitness wins fights at the elite level. What your corner is really saying between rounds when your back is against the wall. What's waiting for him on the other side of June 24. Join my exclusive Mentored+ community: https://mentored.com.au/become-a-member/ Subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://the-mentored-platform-pty-ltd.myklpages.com/l/WWJGc5 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Michael Chammas: Building the NRL's PNG Team, Leaving Journalism & Taking Opportunities
Jun 1001:07:20Tap to summarizeMichael Chammas is the general manager of rugby league's newest expansion team, the PNG Chiefs, in what could be the NRL's most ambitious venture ever. The former Sydney Morning Herald journalist traded his media career for the challenge of building Papua New Guinea's first NRL club from the ground up. Chammas reveals the complex recruitment strategies needed to convince players to relocate their families to PNG, the cultural significance of rugby league to the Pacific nation, and why the tax-free incentives are essential for success. He discusses his transition from breaking stories to making them, the logistical challenges of establishing pathways in a country with 850 languages and 1,000 tribes, and why this team represents more than just rugby league. Why Michael left his dream journalism job for an even bigger dream The family considerations behind relocating to Papua New Guinea How Jerome Luai's signing changed everything for the Chiefs The reality of living in the Airways resort compound Building rugby league pathways in a developing nation The tax-free salary cap debate and why it's necessary Papua New Guinea's passion for rugby league as its national sport Join my exclusive Mentored+ community: https://mentored.com.au/become-a-member/ Subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://the-mentored-platform-pty-ltd.myklpages.com/l/WWJGc5See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Kellie Sloane: NSW Opposition Leader's Pitch to New South Wales
Jun 300:51:46Tap to summarizeIn this conversation with NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane, she explains why she believes New South Wales has gone from the nation's top-performing economy to the bottom of the pack under Labor's watch. Kellie discusses her journey from country journalism to opposition leadership, her experience during the Bondi terror attack, and her strategy for defeating a first-term government. She also addresses federal-state tensions within Labor, the importance of assimilation in modern Australia, and why authenticity matters more than ever in contemporary politics. New South Wales economic decline under Labor government Federal-state tensions over GST and infrastructure funding The Bondi Junction terrorist attack response Assimilation versus multiculturalism debate Coalition relationship between Liberals and Nationals Presidential-style campaigning in state elections Young people's disillusionment with traditional politics Join my exclusive Mentored+ community: https://mentored.com.au/become-a-member/ Subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Business Expert on the Budget, the Housing Crisis, and Intergenerational Inequality
May 2700:50:03Tap to summarizeNaomi Simson is the founder of Red Balloon and co-founder of the Big Red Group. In this conversation, Naomi breaks down how she built a business that now delivers an experience every 16 seconds to small businesses across Australia and New Zealand. Simson also delivers her unfiltered assessment of the recent federal budget, arguing that too many changes implemented too quickly will cripple business confidence during an already challenging period of technological disruption.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Brain Expert: Why Dementia Is Australia's Number One Killer (Project 100)
May 2401:24:37Tap to summarizeAll content and media by Project 100 is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. ****Professor Matthew Kiernan is CEO of Neura Australia and one of the nation's leading neurologists tackling the growing dementia crisis. Kiernan explores why dementia is now Australia's number one cause of death, the modifiable risk factors that could prevent 45% of cases, and the groundbreaking monoclonal antibody treatments now available for Alzheimer's disease. Kiernan explains how the Western Pacific region carries 60% of the world's dementia burden and why researchers are racing to develop blood biomarkers that could detect brain diseases decades before symptoms appear. We also get into:• Why dementia has overtaken heart disease as Australia's leading killer • The role of vascular health in brain function and cognitive decline • Blood biomarkers coming within five years for early detection • Monoclonal antibody treatments for Alzheimer's now available in Australia • The connection between contact sports, head injuries and neurodegeneration • How GLP-1 medications are showing promise for brain health • Sleep's critical role in clearing toxic proteins from the brain Join my exclusive Mentored+ community: https://mentored.com.au/become-a-member/ Subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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