This episode was recorded live at SXSW 2024 - and it might be a very different example of what a politician sounds like from what you've been hearing recently.

Here, Allegra not only reveals to Osher and an eager crowd the realities of political life in Canberra, the best and worst things about the job and why some other politicians are focused on the wrong things, but also the importance of empathy, having hard conversations, how she personally stays mentally strong and how we can focus more on people to find solutions. 

Special thanks to Wolfgang Günsberg for help with the intro and outro of this episode.

Find the ABC Vote Compass here

Check out all the details for the massive Sydney Comedy Festival edition of Story Club and more from Osher here

 

 

This episode was recorded live at SXSW 2024 - and it might be a very different example of what a politician sounds like from what you've been hearing recently. Here, Allegra not only reveals to Osher and an eager crowd the realities of political life in Canberra, the best and worst things about the job and why some other politicians are focused on the wrong things, but also the importance of empathy, having hard conversations, how she personally stays mentally strong and how we can focus more on people to find solutions.&nbsp; Special thanks to Wolfgang G&uuml;nsberg for help with the intro and outro of this episode. Find the ABC Vote Compass <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/vote-compass">here</a> Check out all the details for the massive Sydney Comedy Festival edition of Story Club and more from Osher&nbsp;<a href="https://linktr.ee/osher_gunsberg">here</a> &nbsp; &nbsp;

With every new day comes the opportunity to grow. Hosted by Osher Günsberg - a best-selling author, podcaster, TV host, husband, dad, stepdad, electric mobility enthusiast and part-time climate worrier. This podcast is here to help make today better than yesterday. Since 2013, the show has set out to improve life for you and the people you love. Sometimes it’s authentic conversations. Sometimes we’ll unpack the news or hear how Osher deals with life as a sober person with a different brain. But you’ll always hear something you need to hear (and laugh while you do). Listen to feel less alone, build better habits and discover some solution-based approaches for when life gets tricky.

With every new day comes the opportunity to grow. Hosted by Osher G&uuml;nsberg - a best-selling author, podcaster, TV host, husband, dad, stepdad, electric mobility enthusiast and part-time climate worrier. This podcast is here to help make today better than yesterday. Since 2013, the show has set out to improve life for you and the people you love. Sometimes it&rsquo;s authentic conversations. Sometimes we&rsquo;ll unpack the news or hear how Osher deals with life as a sober person with a different brain. But you&rsquo;ll always hear something you need to hear (and laugh while you do). Listen to feel less alone, build better habits and discover some solution-based approaches for when life gets tricky.

Helping you make today better than yesterday since 2013.

Better Than Yesterday with Osher Günsberg

Better Than Yesterday with Osher Gunsberg

What people-focused politics can do, with Allegra Spender 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/2f724a4c-d18f-4a37-8466-b3ad017c68e9/transcript

What happens when the version of yourself you created to succeed starts getting in the way of actually being yourself?

In this episode, broadcaster and author Christian O’Connell opens up to Osher Gunsberg about the darker side of the career he built around conversation and connection. Christian reflects on the radio persona he developed early in his career, his obsession with having the funniest show on air, and the moment that carefully constructed identity began to fall apart. In his 40s, he started having severe panic attacks in the one place he had always felt the most comfortable: the radio studio. Eventually, he sought therapy for the first time and discovered that confronting what was happening beneath the surface could change everything. He also packed up and moved his family halfway around the world from England to Australia, sparking initial backlash from radio listeners.

This conversation explores vulnerability, self-discovery and authentic human connection, including Christian's unconventional experience of physically releasing emotions during a therapy session. Christian also shares his 'WAVES' framework for better conversations, and explains why becoming less defensive, more curious and more present can transform the way we communicate with partners, children, colleagues and ourselves. There are practical tools too, including Christian's experience with breathwork and a simple breathing technique that he uses when he feels anxiety beginning to rise.

In one of the episode's most moving moments, Christian recalls how a listener named Pete sharing his bowel cancer experience on air led to a 600% rise in the return of bowel screening kits. And Christian reveals that Pete's final message became a guiding principle: “Keep up the humour, don't forget the human.”

As social media and AI increasingly changing the way we communicate, this conversation is a reminder that the things that make us human — curiosity, vulnerability, humour, presence and genuine connection — may be more important than ever.

LINKS 
Christian's book 'Unscript: The Radical Act of Being Yourself' is available now
Follow (@mrchristianoconnell) on Instagram
Sign up to the Better Than Yesterday newsletter
Watch episodes of Better Than Yesterday on YouTube
Watch full stories recorded live at Story Club on YouTube
Get tickets for our next Story Club show
Get Osher's latest books here
Send a pic of what you're looking at to sendosheremail@gmail.com 

LIKE THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT...
How Radio Star Robin Bailey Kept Going Through Unimaginable Grief - Twice
Jackie O Reveals How She and Kyle Sandilands Built Australia's Most Successful Radio Show
Purpose, Parenting, Posca - and how you can do everything you want, with Merrick Watts
What it's like to be Hamish Blake

What happens when the version of yourself you created to succeed starts getting in the way of actually being yourself?
In this episode, broadcaster and author Christian O&rsquo;Connell opens up to Osher Gunsberg about the darker side of the career he built around conversation and connection. Christian reflects on the radio persona he developed early in his career, his obsession with having the funniest show on air, and the moment that carefully constructed identity began to fall apart. In his 40s, he started having severe panic attacks in the one place he had always felt the most comfortable: the radio studio. Eventually, he sought therapy for the first time and discovered that confronting what was happening beneath the surface could change everything. He also packed up and moved his family halfway around the world from England to Australia, sparking initial backlash from radio listeners.
This conversation explores vulnerability, self-discovery and authentic human connection, including Christian's unconventional experience of physically releasing emotions during a therapy session. Christian also shares his 'WAVES' framework for better conversations, and explains why becoming less defensive, more curious and more present can transform the way we communicate with partners, children, colleagues and ourselves. There are practical tools too, including Christian's experience with breathwork and a simple breathing technique that he uses when he feels anxiety beginning to rise.
In one of the episode's most moving moments, Christian recalls how a listener named Pete sharing his bowel cancer experience on air led to a 600% rise in the return of bowel screening kits. And Christian reveals that Pete's final message became a guiding principle: &ldquo;Keep up the humour, don't forget the human.&rdquo;
As social media and AI increasingly changing the way we communicate, this conversation is a reminder that the things that make us human &mdash; curiosity, vulnerability, humour, presence and genuine connection &mdash; may be more important than ever.
LINKS&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Christian's book 'Unscript: The Radical Act of Being Yourself' is <a href="https://christianoconnell.com/unscript/">available now</a></li>
<li>Follow (@mrchristianoconnell) on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mrchristianoconnell/">Instagram</a></li>
<li>Sign up to the Better Than Yesterday <a href="https://makeitbetterthanyesterday.kit.com/7d9d18dcee">newsletter</a></li>
<li>Watch episodes of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa-1kXDagJXvgJa9MNymv4jnKkfdtCqBd">Better Than Yesterday on YouTube</a></li>
<li>Watch full stories recorded live at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@storyclublive">Story Club</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@storyclublive"> on YouTube</a></li>
<li><a href="https://linktr.ee/osher_gunsberg">Get tickets </a>for our next Story Club show</li>
<li>Get Osher's latest books <a href="https://linktr.ee/osher_gunsberg">here</a></li>
<li>Send a pic of what you're looking at to <a href="mailto:sendosheremail@gmail.com">sendosheremail@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
LIKE THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT...
<ul>
<li><a href="https://omny.fm/shows/better-than-yesterday-with-osher-g-nsberg1/how-radio-star-robin-bailey-kept-going-through-unimaginable-grief-twice">How Radio Star Robin Bailey Kept Going Through Unimaginable Grief - Twice</a></li>
<li><a href="https://omny.fm/shows/better-than-yesterday-with-osher-g-nsberg1/303-jackie-o">Jackie O Reveals How She and Kyle Sandilands Built Australia's Most Successful Radio Show</a></li>
<li><a href="https://omny.fm/shows/better-than-yesterday-with-osher-g-nsberg1/purpose-parenting-posca-and-how-you-can-do-everything-you-want-with-merrick-watts">Purpose, Parenting, Posca - and how you can do everything you want, with Merrick Watts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://omny.fm/shows/better-than-yesterday-with-osher-g-nsberg1/what-its-like-to-be-hamish-blake-for-a-job">What it's like to be Hamish Blake</a></li>
</ul>

Broadcaster Christian O'Connell on panic attacks, living unscripted and making stronger connections

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/053e172b-5163-4bb0-8371-b4b80042e4bb/transcript

What makes a child want to read? And what happens when we stop trying to make childhood perfect?

In this episode, Osher Gunsberg looks back on his chat with one of Australia’s most successful children’s authors, Andy Griffiths, the award-winning creative force behind The Day My Bum Went Psycho and the much-loved Treehouse series.

Andy reflects on his early years as a high school English teacher and the lesson that shaped much of his work: children will engage with reading when we give them something they actually want to read. He explains why books offer children more than literacy — they can open up their imagination, expand their understanding of the world and provide a private escape from the rules and expectations of everyday life.

Andy also reveals how watching children choose books helped inspire the unconventional visual style of his Treehouse series of books, and how his creative partnership with illustrator Terry Denton grew from a willingness to embrace silliness, experimentation and ideas that might otherwise have been considered too strange.

The conversation also covers parenting, where Andy challenges the pressure to create the “perfect childhood”. Drawing on his own experience raising two daughters, he argues that allowing children to experience some adversity can help them develop resilience, and that 'good enough parenting' really can be good enough.

It's a funny, thoughtful and surprisingly profound conversation about books, childhood, imagination, parenting and the importance of giving kids permission to explore the world on their own terms.

LINKS 
Listen to the full episode with Andy here
More about Andy and his work here
Sign up to the Better Than Yesterday newsletter
Watch episodes of Better Than Yesterday on YouTube
Watch full stories recorded live at  Story Club on YouTube
Get tickets for our next Story Club show
Get Osher's latest book "So What? Now What?" here
Send a pic of what you're looking at to sendosheremail@gmail.com 

What makes a child want to read? And what happens when we stop trying to make childhood perfect?
In this episode, Osher Gunsberg looks back on his chat with one of Australia&rsquo;s most successful children&rsquo;s authors, Andy Griffiths, the award-winning creative force behind&nbsp;The Day My Bum Went Psycho and the much-loved Treehouse series.
Andy reflects on his early years as a high school English teacher and the lesson that shaped much of his work: children will engage with reading when we give them something they actually want to read. He explains why books offer children more than literacy &mdash; they can open up their imagination, expand their understanding of the world and provide a private escape from the rules and expectations of everyday life.
Andy also reveals how watching children choose books helped inspire the unconventional visual style of his Treehouse series of books, and how his creative partnership with illustrator Terry Denton grew from a willingness to embrace silliness, experimentation and ideas that might otherwise have been considered too strange.
The conversation also covers parenting, where Andy challenges the pressure to create the &ldquo;perfect childhood&rdquo;. Drawing on his own experience raising two daughters, he argues that allowing children to experience some adversity can help them develop resilience, and that 'good enough parenting' really can be good enough.
It's a funny, thoughtful and surprisingly profound conversation about books, childhood, imagination, parenting and the importance of giving kids permission to explore the world on their own terms.
LINKS&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Listen to the full episode with Andy <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/better-than-yesterday-with-osher-g-nsberg1/the-secret-to-helping-kids-want-to-read-w-andy-griffiths">here</a></li>
<li>More about Andy and his work <a href="https://andygriffiths.com.au/">here</a></li>
<li>Sign up to the Better Than Yesterday <a href="https://makeitbetterthanyesterday.kit.com/7d9d18dcee">newsletter</a></li>
<li>Watch episodes of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa-1kXDagJXvgJa9MNymv4jnKkfdtCqBd">Better Than Yesterday on YouTube</a></li>
<li>Watch full stories recorded live at &nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@storyclublive">Story Club</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@storyclublive"> on YouTube</a></li>
<li><a href="https://linktr.ee/osher_gunsberg">Get tickets </a>for our next Story Club show</li>
<li>Get Osher's latest book "So What? Now What?" <a href="https://linktr.ee/osher_gunsberg">here</a></li>
<li>Send a pic of what you're looking at to <a href="mailto:sendosheremail@gmail.com">sendosheremail@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

What Happens When Kids Stop Reading? Andy Griffiths Has the Answer

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/6d85307f-6c89-44b2-a0a6-b4b400024969/transcript

Climate change can feel so enormous that it’s difficult to know where to start or how to stay engaged without becoming overwhelmed.

In this episode of Better Than Yesterday, Osher Gunsberg speaks with climate campaigner and Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie about the realities of climate change, the progress Australia has already made, and how we can continue fighting for a better future without burning ourselves out.

Amanda has spent more than 20 years working on climate change, and she reflects on what it’s like to dedicate your life to an issue that can feel almost impossibly large. She opens up about the loss of her friend and climate scientist Professor Will Steffen, and the emotional toll of witnessing environmental change while raising young children.

The conversation also explores Amanda’s idea of “stubborn optimism” -  a deliberate choice to acknowledge the seriousness of the climate crisis while still believing that people can work together to create meaningful change.

Amanda and Osher also discuss Australia’s rapid growth in renewable energy, why the economics of clean energy are changing the conversation, the potential for Australia to become a global leader in green industries, and why progress can sometimes be difficult to see while you’re living through it.

Amanda also shares practical ways to protect yourself from doom-scrolling and climate burnout. And if you’re wondering what you can actually do about climate change, Amanda’s advice is simple: start small - because you don’t have to save the world on your own. You just have to find your part of the puzzle.

LINKS 
More on the Climate Council here
Follow (@theclimatecouncil) on Instagram
Sign up to the Better Than Yesterday newsletter
Watch episodes of Better Than Yesterday on YouTube
Watch full stories recorded live at Story Club on YouTube
Get tickets for our next Story Club show
Get Osher's latest books here
Send a pic of what you're looking at to sendosheremail@gmail.com 

LIKE THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT...
Listen to Amanda's first appearance on Better Than Yesterday
The Psychology of Climate Anxiety, Climate Denial and Talking to your Kids about it with Psychologist Dr Susie Burke
The Economic Cost of Climate Inaction with the brilliant economist Nikki Hutley

 

Climate change can feel so enormous that it&rsquo;s difficult to know where to start or how to stay engaged without becoming overwhelmed.
In this episode of Better Than Yesterday, Osher Gunsberg speaks with climate campaigner and Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie about the realities of climate change, the progress Australia has already made, and how we can continue fighting for a better future without burning ourselves out.
Amanda has spent more than 20 years working on climate change, and she reflects on what it&rsquo;s like to dedicate your life to an issue that can feel almost impossibly large. She opens up about the loss of her friend and climate scientist Professor Will Steffen, and the emotional toll of witnessing environmental change while raising young children.
The conversation also explores Amanda&rsquo;s idea of &ldquo;stubborn optimism&rdquo; -&nbsp; a deliberate choice to acknowledge the seriousness of the climate crisis while still believing that people can work together to create meaningful change.
Amanda and Osher also discuss Australia&rsquo;s rapid growth in renewable energy, why the economics of clean energy are changing the conversation, the potential for Australia to become a global leader in green industries, and why progress can sometimes be difficult to see while you&rsquo;re living through it.
Amanda also shares practical ways to protect yourself from doom-scrolling and climate burnout. And if you&rsquo;re wondering what you can actually do about climate change, Amanda&rsquo;s advice is simple: start small -&nbsp;because you don&rsquo;t have to save the world on your own. You just have to find your part of the puzzle.
LINKS&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>More on the Climate Council <a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/">here</a></li>
<li>Follow (@theclimatecouncil) on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theclimatecouncil">Instagram</a></li>
<li>Sign up to the Better Than Yesterday <a href="https://makeitbetterthanyesterday.kit.com/7d9d18dcee">newsletter</a></li>
<li>Watch episodes of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa-1kXDagJXvgJa9MNymv4jnKkfdtCqBd">Better Than Yesterday on YouTube</a></li>
<li>Watch full stories recorded live at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@storyclublive">Story Club</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@storyclublive"> on YouTube</a></li>
<li><a href="https://linktr.ee/osher_gunsberg">Get tickets </a>for our next Story Club show</li>
<li>Get Osher's latest books <a href="https://linktr.ee/osher_gunsberg">here</a></li>
<li>Send a pic of what you're looking at to <a href="mailto:sendosheremail@gmail.com">sendosheremail@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
LIKE THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT...
<ul>
<li><a href="https://omny.fm/shows/better-than-yesterday-with-osher-g-nsberg1/why-climate-matters-this-election-and-how-to-make-sure-you-vote-like-it-with-climate-council-ceo-amanda-mckenzie">Listen to Amanda's first appearance on Better Than Yesterday</a></li>
<li><a href="https://omny.fm/shows/better-than-yesterday-with-osher-g-nsberg1/396-the-psychology-of-climate-anxiety-climate-denial-and-talking-to-your-kids-about-it-with-psychologist-dr-susie-burke">The Psychology of Climate Anxiety, Climate Denial and Talking to your Kids about it with Psychologist Dr Susie Burke</a></li>
<li><a href="https://omny.fm/shows/better-than-yesterday-with-osher-g-nsberg1/411-the-economic-cost-of-climate-inaction-with-the-brilliant-economist-nikki-hutley">The Economic Cost of Climate Inaction with the brilliant economist Nikki Hutley</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

The Climate Crisis Is Real, But Giving Up Isn’t an Option with Amanda McKenzie

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/0fba267a-5f55-4883-9ed5-b4ad00649123/transcript

What people-focused politics can do, with Allegra Spender

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